Everton have a number of former players in the Championship this season.
The likes of Ellis Simms, Lewis Dobbin and Isaac Price are all plying their trade in the second tier after a long spell at Everton’s academy.
Price is actually enjoying a sensational season for West Bromwich Albion and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
Dobbin is also doing well at Preston North End, where he is playing alongside two other former Everton players.
One of them was hailed by manager Paul Heckingbottom yesterday.
Preston North End defender Thierry Small.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Paul Heckingbottom hails former Everton defender Thierry Small
Everton had Thierry Small on their books as a teenager, and he was held in really high regard before he left for Southampton in 2021.
The now 21-year-old is at Preston and has made a really productive start to the season, netting two goals and laying on an assist from left-back.
Small scored against Charlton yesterday and his manager Paul Heckingbottom heaped praise on him post-match.
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“I’m really glad he was involved in the game,” the Preston boss explained. “I spoke to him (beforehand) and said that it’s just another game but it’s different because Thierry is young and excitable.
“We just wanted him to really focus on his role and what his job was and he went and did it.
“When you play against former clubs, you know you’re getting a bit of stick and it’s nice to get one over them so Thierry will have enjoyed that but he’s keeping his feet on the ground and he just wants to keep doing well for us.
“All we want is Thierry to give his best for us and his best is always going to be good enough.”
Thierry Small stats vs Charlton
Small, who is a left-back by trade, actually operated as a right wing-back yesterday and was able to show his brilliant attacking abilities.
Based on his Sofascore statistics, the former Toffees teenager was well worth at least one assist after making two key passes.
88 minutes
40 touches
1 goal
2 key passes
5 duels won
3 tackles
1 clearance
Given his age, it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see him back in the Premier League within the next couple of years.
So, it may be one Everton look back at with real regret, although, he did leave Merseyside amid lots of PSR issues.