"You would hope" - Charlton Athletic claim made about Thierry Small as Millwall & Preston circle | OneFootball

FLW's Charlton fan pundit has given his verdict on Thierry Small's future amid Millwall and Preston interest

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Thierry Small has been linked with a move away from Charlton Athletic this summer.

According to Football Insider, both Millwall and Preston North End are eyeing a move for the 20-year-old.

Small has been an important part of Nathan Jones’ side so far this season, with the youngster moving from left-back to right-wing as part of their promotion push.

However, the defender’s contract is set to expire in the summer, leaving him with an uncertain future at the Valley as we approach the final weeks of the campaign.

Thierry Small transfer verdict

When asked about Small moving to Millwall or Preston, FLW’s Charlton fan pundit Sam White claimed that the Addicks’ best hope of keeping him is through guaranteeing him regular game time.

He is hopeful that the player can be persuaded to stay instead of moving around again, and that the London outfit can be a real home for him.

“Obviously two decent teams, Millwall will be fighting for the play-offs and Preston,” White told Football League World.

“Realistically, like most teams, they’re going to be taking a punt on someone that’s never played at that level, but due to his age, he’s only 20, it’s worth a punt and I’d imagine they’ll give him higher wages than Charlton will.

“But, the problem for them is they probably can’t guarantee him first team football whereas I would imagine Charlton will be offering him first team football.

“The real problem is the ambition for him, and to whether he would want to test himself at a high level if Charlton don’t make it this season, if they don’t get promoted, which is a possibility.

“However, he’s really found a home at Charlton, he’s really found a space to be himself and actually tie himself down, and build a bit of a relationship with fans and the management team.

“And he is absolutely thriving because of that, anywhere else he’s been he’s only been there a few months and just hasn’t done anything special.

“Whereas you’d hope he would be looking to really knuckle down at Charlton, sign a long-term contract, may even put a buyout fee in that, but you’d hope at this point in his career he wants to be somewhere playing regular first-team football, with fans that like him and love him, as well as feeling at home at a club.

“I think Charlton are his seventh or eighth club, and he’s only 20.”

Millwall warning issued to Small

White also warned Small about a move to rivals Millwall, and the reaction that would ensue from supporters, but conceded the option of staying in London while moving up to the Championship could be appealing.

“Equally, you would hope that he’d know not to go to Millwall, or people’s reaction if he were to go to Millwall, due to the nature of the relationship between Charlton and Millwall,” he continued.

“But, equally, he might see that as getting to stay down south in London, probably not needing to move, which might stop Preston from being successful there.

“Because, obviously, he’s found a local area, he’s been at Charlton probably one of the longest stretches in his career. He knows the area, so I would imagine he wouldn’t want to go back up north, especially if it was not to his native Midlands.

“If he turns down a contract at Charlton, they’re only able to get a small amount of compensation, which, unfortunately, looks probably quite likely to happen. I would imagine he will go to the end of the season, not signing a contract.

“If they get promoted, I think he’ll sign.

“If they don’t, I think he will look at offers, but you would hope his advisors and Nathan Jones will have a strong word with him, and show him what he’s been able to do at Charlton, what he can do going forward, as well as the plans for next season.

“Which you’d imagine if they miss out on promotion this season will be an all-out promotion push.”

Charlton are currently in the mix for promotion to the Championship through the play-offs.

Small facing a big decision this summer

Charlton will struggle to hold onto Small if there is Championship interest and they remain in League One.

Promotion could go a long way to convincing him to stay, as that would offer him the platform of regular minutes at a higher level.

Millwall and Preston would be solid landing spots for the player at this stage of his career, and both clubs would relish the chance to sign someone with his potential for such a low cost.

Small is facing a crucial decision at an important part of his career, so it would be no surprise if he bides his time before we find out the next step he wants to take.