Everton U23 coach David Unsworth has told Thierry Small he's in the best place for his career.
The left-back, 16, has been linked with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus but Unsworth is confident he will remain with Everton for the long-term.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "The one thing that we can give Thierry is a clear pathway.
"He only has to look at Niels Nkounkou. He spent a week with the u-23s [after signing in the summer] and then he was in the first-team squad.
"There's always a clear pathway at Everton for all the youngsters so he's in no better place to have a career as a Premier League footballer."
Unsworth added: "The pace, the power, how he gets forward - he's a smashing lad. I love working with him, he's a great boy. He's very coachable, very approachable, honest and has all the attributes of what I like to see in young Everton players.
"He has great desire too. I'm delighted with him."
