Newly promoted Championship side Derby County are keen on signing Charlton Athletic youngster Thierry Small, according to Football Insider.
Paul Warne’s side finished second in League One, winning 28 of their 46 games on the way to an impressive 92-point finish. Understandably, they will now be looking at fresh recruits to strengthen ahead of the new season.
Small only joined Nathan Jones’ side in January on a free transfer from Southampton but, despite being in London just a matter of months, he’s made 14 appearances. This includes scoring on his debut in a 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
He spent much of his youth career at Premier League Everton and made his debut at the age of just 16 in 2021 under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti in the FA Cup. That made him their youngest-ever player, but after rejecting a professional contract with the Merseysiders at the age of 17 over fears involving game-time, he would later go on to join the Saints.
The Solihull-born player has also had two loan spells at Port Vale and St Mirren in the past, making 29 appearances in all competitions for both sides, before his January move to the Addicks. Small has been capped by England at U18 level three times also, with the last of those coming in 2022.
The Addicks have offered the defender, who can also play on the wing, a fresh three-year deal to stave off any interested suitors but it remains to be seen whether he accepts or not. There is already a 12-month contract extension triggered on his previous contract, so either way Charlton will be able to demand a fee.
Writer’s View
Could it be that after many moves for Small in such a short space of time, that a three-year deal from the Addicks is too good to turn down? Everyone wants to feel settled and wanted and he won’t want to leave London without any guarantees about playing time.
Football is all about risk however and he will be ambitious and want to play as high as possible. The allure of the Rams could turn his head. One thing is for sure, this will be a tough decision that could shape his career path in the long-term.
