---
title: "Leeds: Whites ready to offer Small first-team pathway"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-ready-to-offer-small-first-team-pathway/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-04-03T18:15:23Z"
modified: "2021-04-03T18:15:23Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites ready to offer Small first-team pathway

**Leeds United appear to be extremely keen on Everton teenager Thierry Small, who could be yet another young talent to develop under Marcelo Bielsa and Mark Jackson at Elland Road.**

The 16-year-old, [considered the best left-back in the country for his age](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1417640/Everton-news-Thierry-Small-contract-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-Brighton-latest), is willing to snub a three-year professional deal on Merseyside, according to the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1417640/Everton-news-Thierry-Small-contract-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-Brighton-latest).

### Leeds ready to offer pathway to first-team football

The [report](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1417640/Everton-news-Thierry-Small-contract-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-Brighton-latest) claims that Small is prioritising a breakthrough in first-team football and is even ready to turn down interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

Leeds, who appear to be after a new first-choice left-back this summer, are one of three sides [‘prepared to offer him a direct pathway straight into the first-team set-up’](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1417640/Everton-news-Thierry-Small-contract-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-Brighton-latest), 12 words that could prove pretty crucial considering the difficulty he may have breaking into sides that have Lucas Digne, Kieran Tierney and Luke Shaw all in top form.

Small has [‘frightening potential’](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1417640/Everton-news-Thierry-Small-contract-Man-Utd-Arsenal-Leeds-Brighton-latest) but has made just [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/thierry-small/leistungsdaten/spieler/746554) senior appearance for the Toffees.

\[freshpress-poll id=”351873″\]

### Transfer Tavern take

Bielsa has been extremely picky during his tenure at Elland Road in regards to handing several Whites youngsters regular game time.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”351040″\]

The club’s current Under-23 side are sitting pretty at the top of [Premier League 2 Division 2](https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-league-2-division-two/20202021/regular-season/r59904/), with the likes of [Cody Drameh](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/cody-drameh/leistungsdaten/spieler/531957), [Joe Gelhardt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gelhardt/leistungsdaten/spieler/503980) and [Sam Greenwood](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sam-greenwood/leistungsdaten/spieler/532178) all starring under Mark Jackson.

None of the three mentioned have made a senior appearance for Leeds to date, so Small may have to be relatively patient in regards to a first-team opportunity, something he doesn’t appear keen on.

It seems as if the club like what they see in Small, though, so it could be a deal to keep a close eye on over the coming months.

***In other news: Leeds linked with move for £4,400-a-week attacker, find out more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-have-watched-daryl-dike/).***