'No Contact': Charlton Athletic boss confronts Millwall interest in ex Everton man

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones did not want to bite when asked about Millwall and Preston North End transfer interest in defender Thierry Small this week.

The 20-year-old is out of contract at The Valley come the end of the season. The Addicks extended the defender’s deal in May 2024 and the player had been offered a ‘long-term’ deal at the time.

Small has racked up 43 appearances across all competitions this season and has been a key part of Jones’ promotion-chasing Charlton Athletic side. The former Everton and Southampton man is a product of the Toffees’ academy. He only ever made one first team appearance for Everton and one for Southampton before joining the Addicks in February 2024.

Nathan Jones responds to Millwall and Preston North End transfer rumours

The former England under-20 international was in three matchday squads for Southampton in the Premier League during the 2021/22 season, against Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford and Wolves, but never saw any minutes. Ralph Hassenhuttl was in charge of the Saints for those matches with Jones not arriving on the south coast until the following season, when Small was on loan at St. Mirren.

The South London Press claims that London rivals Millwall and Championship outfit Preston North End are interested in the star. The Lilywhites placed Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round in January, a game in which Small played 90 minutes and picked up an assist in a 2-1 defeat.

When asked about those links, Jones said: “No contact from anyone. Part of my remit is to work with young players and develop young players to make them assets for the football club. There you go.”

Thierry Small keen to extend Charlton Athletic stay

Speaking earlier in 2025, having scored his first goal of the season in a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at The Valley in a dramatic 96th minute winner, Small hinted that he would like to continue his progress at the club. He said: “It’s currently under negotiations and I’m just letting my agent deal with it. We will just see where it goes from there. I would love to stay.”

Small is a left-back but has been playing on the right side of defence this season with Kayne Ramsey suffering a knee injury in October. The player’s versatility has been a huge asset for Charlton Athletic and led to plenty of minutes. The defender has featured in every League One game since the star of November.

Small said: “It’s been good for me in terms of learning a different role. I’m still learning my trade. Learning on the right-hand side will help me for when I go back to the left.

“I can be a little bit more expressive on the right-hand side with my attacking. I have the ability to go in and outside. It’s a bit easier to play on the right when I’m attacking. But, defensively, it’s harder because I have to be more aware and it’s a little bit unnatural at times.

“I’m used to it now so it’s like second nature to me. Even though it’s the same position but on the opposite side, I’m working out my angles and seeing the game differently. It’s been about getting my head down and helping the team wherever I’m required to play. That’s the most important thing.”

In other news, this is when Charlton Athletic can confirm their League One play-off spot.