A source from Everton has now revealed that there is some tension between Marcel Brands and chiefs at Goodison Park.
The Lowdown: Small leaves
Southampton announced the signing of Thierry Small from the Merseyside club late in August on a three-year deal after the left-back snubbed a contract offer from Rafa Benitez’s team.
With just Lucas Digne as the only left-back in the senior squad now, it certainly was a questionable decision to let Small go, especially to a rival in the Premier League.
The Latest: Tension
Speaking to Football Insider, a Toffees source has now revealed that questions are being asked from those at the top of the club of Brands about how relations with Small and his camp broke down to such an extent that he decided that he was going to leave.
They believe that the sporting director should have been far more proactive in maintaining a positive dialogue with the youngster, his family and agent, and have now been left ‘unhappy’ about the situation.
The Verdict: Move on
It was certainly a shame to lose a player of the talent and promise that 17-year-old Small has, but the Blues must now look to move on from the situation.
Knowing that Small was going to leave, it certainly seems a strange decision to let Niels Nkounkou go out on loan as well, especially if Digne were to pick up a bad injury.
However, they cannot dwell on the decisions that have already been made, and instead must look forward to the rest of the season.
In other news, find out which ‘excellent’ right-back EFC could sign in January here!
