Charlton Athletic wing-back Thierry Small may be attracting interest from other clubs, especially after his performance against Preston North End in midweek.
The 20-year-old put in a superb shift against Preston in the Addicks’ FA Cup Third Round defeat at Deepdale on Tuesday night, with his assist for Luke Berry’s equaliser standing out as the highlight of a strong night’s work for the youngster.
Small has played an important role in Charlton’s recent upturn in form, as he has proven to be Nathan Jones’ right-hand side replacement in the absence of first-choice wing-back Kayne Ramsay, despite being more comfortable on the opposite side of the game as a naturally left-footed player.
His ability to provide width in attack and take on his full-back has provided the Addicks with an outlet that they lacked in previous weeks, and his assist against PNE suggests that he has been working on his final ball, as if he can become more consistent with his end product, he will be able to cause even more problems for any League One side.
The fact that Small produced such a positive performance against Championship competition will undoubtedly please Nathan Jones, though the Welshman will be concerned that if the youngster continues in his current form, the Addicks will struggle to retain him.
Charlton may struggle to keep hold of Small
Charlton recruited Small on a short-term contract in February last year after he left Southampton, and he had an immediate impact at left wing-back in the second half of the season, helping the Addicks go 14 games unbeaten under new manager Jones.
He had to compete with summer signing Josh Edwards, who has tended to be Jones’ preferred choice on the left-hand side when fit, for a place in the starting lineup for much of this season, but he has now made the right wing-back spot his own as Charlton have improved their form, with their recent draw against Reading extending their league unbeaten run to six games.
Charlton activated a one-year extension clause, allowing Small to stay with the club beyond the end of his short-term deal last year. However, the teenager has yet to sign the ‘long-term’ deal that was given to him just before that provision was triggered, therefore he is expected to be out of contract this summer as things are.
Given that he is only 20 years old and has been doing well for Charlton, Small may be on the radar of other clubs who are aware he is approaching the end of his contract period. His performance against Preston will only inspire Championship clubs to keep an eye on him.
| Thierry Small’s stats for Charlton Athletic (Transfermarkt) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 38 | 1 | 5 | 2,819 |
Jones will no doubt be hoping to persuade Small to extend his stay in SE7, but the longer it goes without word that he has signed a new contract, the more likely it is that he will leave, either for a fee this month or for a compensation amount in the summer.
Small attracted transfer interest in the summer
If other clubs express an interest in Small during the current transfer window or the rest of the season, it would not be the first time he has been linked with a move away while at The Valley.
According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County were both interested in signing Small from Charlton during the summer transfer window, with the Premier League club having long admired the former Everton prospect.
Charlton fans will hope Small decides that first-team football is his priority at this point in his career and extends his stay at the club, though his recent performance against Championship opposition in Preston will only entice any potential suitors considering a January or summer move.
It remains to be seen what his future holds, both short and long term, with the summer, if not this January, guaranteed to pose some issues.
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