Everton record-breaker Carlo Ancelotti’s favorite player did ‘terrible things’ after an ‘incredible’ snub.

On this day in 2021, Thierry Small made history as Everton’s youngest-ever player before terminating his contract and signing with Southampton.

Thierry Small: From Everton’s Youngest-Ever Player to Career Rebuild

The debut of a young star is always exciting for football fans, but at Everton, it carries extra weight. Memories of Wayne Rooney’s rise in 2002 linger, and every promising academy graduate sparks new hope.

In 2021, that rising star was Thierry Small. The left-back, who joined Everton’s academy from West Brom in 2016, stood out early with his speed, composure, and tenacity. By December 2020, he was training with the first team, catching the eye of then-manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“Thierry did well. He is really young but has quality and physicality to play with the first team,” Ancelotti said at the time. A month later, Small made history, becoming Everton’s youngest-ever player at 16 years, five months, and 23 days when he came on as a late substitute in an FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

After his debut, speculation over his future grew. Linked with top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, Small ultimately shocked Everton by rejecting a professional contract and signing with Southampton instead.

David Unsworth, then Everton’s U23 manager, admitted the club “did everything possible” to keep him. “But when a player doesn’t want to stay, it’s very difficult,” he added.

A Career Stalled and a Second Chance

Small’s move to Southampton didn’t go as planned. He made just one first-team appearance before being loaned out three times. Former Saints manager Ralph Hasenhüttl was blunt in his assessment: “Sometimes you see fantastic things, and other times, horrible things.”

Loan spells at Port Vale and St Mirren were mixed, with injuries and red cards disrupting his progress. By 2024, with his contract expiring, Small joined Charlton Athletic.

Now 20, he has rebuilt his career, earning a long-term deal after scoring on his debut and making 40 appearances. While his initial rise under Ancelotti and alongside stars like James Rodríguez and Richarlison didn’t pan out, his path back to top-flight football is slowly taking shape.

 

 

For more Premier League news, visit www.sportviewers.com.