Having seen him linked with European giants such as Juventus, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, Everton under-23s manager David Unsworth has expressed his confidence that the Toffees can fend off interest for youngster Thierry Small.
At just 16 years old, the youngster was recently drafted into Carlo Ancelotti’s first team plans following a long-term injury to regular left-back Lucas Digne.
Unsworth has told Small he can become a Premier League footballer at Everton, despite having only just made his full under-23s debut last month in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn.
The 47-year-old was keen to defend the internal prospects of Small as he spoke to the Liverpool Echo over the youngster’s future, saying:
“The one thing that we can give Thierry is a clear pathway. He only has to look at Niels Nkounkou. He spent a week with the u-23s [after signing in the summer] and then he was in the first-team squad.
“There’s always a clear pathway at Everton for all the youngsters so he’s in no better place to have a career as a Premier League footballer.”
Small has been with the Toffees since he was 11 years old, when he joined from West Bromwich Albion.
According to the Liverpool Echo, it is believed that team-mates of Small in the under-23 setup have been privately impressed by his raw talent and potential.
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Retaining the services of Small could be vital to the long-term future of the Toffees.
He clearly possesses enormous potential and has been regarded as one of the world’s best young players in the world at his age group; while to have the likes of Juventus and Bayern showing an interest illustrates how highly he is coveted.
