Everton lost a potential star of the future back in August 2021 when Thierry Small forced an exit from Goodison Park to join Southampton.
According to The Athletic, the 18-year-old actually cancelled his scholarship with the Toffees and refused to turn up for pre-season training, after failing to receive assurances over first-team playing time.
Southampton presumably promised Small plenty of senior action, but things have not worked out for the teenager at St Mary’s after he forced his way out of Everton.
Thierry Small struggling after Everton exit
Well, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Small had made one first-team appearance for Everton before his exit, and as we type, he has also made just one first-team appearance for Southampton in roughly 15 months since his arrival.
The England Under-18 international probably feels quite foolish now, given the awful way in which he reportedly went about leaving Everton.
Southampton – who have just replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl with Nathan Jones – loaned Small to Port Vale over the summer, but he is even struggling to impress in League One.
The Solihull-born defender has only made four appearances for Port Vale in League One, and as reported by the Stoke Sentinel, he was even sent back to Southampton to play a game for the B side to keep him match fit.
Thierry Small better off at Everton
Small is probably kicking himself that he left Everton.
The left-back departed while Rafa Benitez was in charge, although things have since changed with Frank Lampard now running the show, a man who is not afraid to give chances to young players.
To make things even worse for Small, two of the best left-backs in Premier League history are currently working at Goodison Park in Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines, both of whom he could have learned plenty from.
Hopefully, Small can turn his fortunes around, as it would be a crying shame to see such promise fizzle out.
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