Carlo Ancelotti has smashed records at Everton with his latest decision – fielding young left-back Thierry Small in the latter stages of Everton’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.
At just 16 years and 176 days, Thierry Small is now officially the youngest player in Everton’s history to don the famous blue shirt.
Everton fans will need to look back to 2008 to see the previous record-holder in Jose Baxter, now at Memphis, who made his Everton debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers aged 16 years and 191 days.
That represents a gap of 15 days – putting Small’s name into the history books before he has even played a full ninety minutes as a Toffee.
The home-grown defender is noted for his maturity and physicality, with the Mail reporting that Carlo Ancelotti believes he has what it takes to compete with the first team.
He has been at Everton since joining from West Brom as an 11-year-old and has reportedly been offered a new three-year deal with the chance to turn professional as a result.
As the club paraded the new record on social media, Everton fans took to Twitter to pour praise on the young prodigy as he made his Toffees debut…
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy What a massive future this lad has!
(@EvertonNewsFeed)
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy The kids 16 playing in the FA cup for the blues and I’m sat here watching MOTD in me undie… https://t.co/EbQRlojnEg (@_JakeClark_)
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy They said Rooney was built like a man at 16, this guy is the same. (@Van_Der_Yes)
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy Well Done Young man hopefully a long career ahead for you @Everton (@daveblueallover)
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy Star in the making this kid…look after him Everton…
Twitter: @Everton @EvertonAcademy What a class message from a talented lad, hope he goes far with us
