Convincing promising youngster Thierry Small to commit his future to Charlton Athletic would be a huge statement of intent from Nathan Jones.
There would be a lot of hope heading into the summer transfer window if Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones can convince left defender Thierry Small to sign a new, long-term contract.
After mutually terminating his Southampton contract, Small signed for the club on a free transfer, and Jones joined The Valley at the start of February.
Jones’ first two games in the dugout saw no appearances from the dynamic wing-back. In a hard away match against Bolton Wanderers, the Welshman started Small, who scored on his debut in a 3-3 draw and gave a passionate performance that won over the Charlton supporters right away. That day marked the beginning of all of Charlton’s League One fixtures until the end of the season.
Small was signed by the Addicks on a short-term contract, which they can choose to extend through the summer of 2025. At the end of April, Small was also offered a long-term deal; however, it is unclear if he will accept it or look to leave SE7.
Derby and Spurs interested in Small
Clubs in higher divisions have taken notice of Small after his impressive start while wearing a Charlton shirt. The 19-year-old is apparently interested in signing with Derby County, who will play Championship football the following season, as they try to bolster their roster in anticipation of going back to the second division.
Whether the Rams have the financial wherewithal to sign Small, who is under contract through at least 2025, will be an interesting question to watch. They originally loaned the winger, Corey Blackett-Taylor, from Charlton until the end of the season in order to postpone paying the transfer price when they signed him in January.
The other team Small has been associated with is Tottenham Hotspur, a team in the Premier League. The defender, who has started for Southampton from the bench in the premier league, is reportedly a longtime fan of Spurs. The decision of Small, should a deal be agreed upon, will ultimately depend on his desire because Tottenham is not expected to be deterred by the transfer cost that would be necessary to lure Small to north London.
Small has a big decision to make on Charlton future
A lot of supporters might believe that the chance to progress from League One to the Premier League is too wonderful to pass up. But in Small’s situation, the choice might not be that clear-cut.
The young player is already registered with Premier League teams. After replacing Carlo Ancelotti in an FA Cup match, he made his professional debut for Everton, becoming the team’s youngest-ever player. However, he chose not to sign a contract at Goodison Park.
In quest of first team football, Small made the decision to join Southampton instead. Before being invited back to St Mary’s by current Charlton manager Jones and St Mirren, he was on loan at Port Vale for a while. Small played for the Saints in the FA Cup, but he was never able to establish himself in the Premier League or Championship starting lineups.
Persuading Small to sign a new long-term deal would be a real statement of intent from Jones, especially when you consider the calibre of the clubs that are interested in him. Small has spent the majority of his career searching for regular first-team football; now that he has it, he should stay at Charlton and be part of Jones’ rebuilding going forward. The 14 games that Small has played for Charlton are the only times he has played in the league for a club that he is permanently contracted to.
