Will Smallbone
{{short description|Irish footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Will Smallbone
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = William Anthony Patrick Smallbone{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=11 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|2|21|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Will Smallbone |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/will-smallbone-254555/|publisher=11v11 |access-date=4 January 2020}}
| birth_place = Basingstoke, England{{cite web |url=https://www.shoot.co.uk/southamptons-fa-cup-wonderkid-will-smallbone/ |title=Shoot For The Stars: Southampton's FA Cup Wonderkid Will Smallbone |publisher=Shoot |access-date=5 January 2020}}
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Player profiles: Will Smallbone |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/first-team/will-smallbone |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=4 January 2020}}
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub = Southampton
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = 2008–2019
| youthclubs1 = Southampton
| years1 = 2019–
| clubs1 = Southampton
| caps1 = 77
| goals1 = 7
| years2 = 2022–2023
| clubs2 = → Stoke City (loan)
| caps2 = 43
| goals2 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U18
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2020–2022
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 3
| nationalyears4 = 2023–
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps4 = 13
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 17:59, 25 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21:55, 10 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
William Anthony Patrick Smallbone (born 21 February 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for {{English football updater|Southamp}} club Southampton. Born in England, he plays for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Club career
=Southampton=
==2017–2022==
On 21 February 2017, Smallbone signed a professional contract with Southampton.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2017 |title=Smallbone pens first professional deal |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2017-02-21/will-smallbone-signs-professional-contract-southampton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630100144/https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2017-02-21/will-smallbone-signs-professional-contract-southampton |archive-date=30 June 2020 |access-date=2 April 2024 |website=Southampton FC}} He made his professional debut for Southampton in a 2–0 FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town on 4 January 2020, scoring the opening goal.{{cite web |title=Southampton 2 Huddersfield Town 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50976042 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=4 January 2020 |date=4 January 2020}} On 22 February 2020, Smallbone went on to make his Premier League debut in a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa.{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Southampton 2–0 Aston Villa: Some of my team have played way out of EFL Cup final – Dean Smith |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51512523 |access-date=1 March 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=22 February 2020}}
Having just started to appear regularly for the first team, on 16 January 2021, Smallbone suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a 2–0 defeat at Leicester. As a result, he was expected to be out of action for up to six months.{{cite web |title=Will Smallbone: Southampton midfielder faces up to six months out with ACL injury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55708867 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 January 2021 |date=18 January 2021}} On 26 October 2021, Smallbone made his first professional appearance since his injury, replacing Stuart Armstrong in Southampton's defeat to Chelsea after a penalty shootout in the EFL Cup.{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Gary|date=26 October 2021|title=Chelsea 1–1 Southampton (4–3 pens)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58963258|access-date=27 October 2021|website=BBC Sport}}
==2022–present==
On 23 July 2022, Smallbone joined Stoke City on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |last=Cope |first=Niall |date=23 July 2022 |title=Welcoming Will |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/july/23/welcoming-will/ |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=Stoke City FC}} He scored his first goal for Stoke in a 2–0 win at Preston North End on 15 October 2022.{{cite news |date=15 October 2022 |title=Preston North End 0–2 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63182113 |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=BBC Sport}} Smallbone was a regular under Alex Neil in 2022–23, making 46 appearances, scoring three goals as Stoke finished in 16th position.{{cite web |title=Stoke City loan star opens up about plans for next season |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-will-smallbone-8403427 |website=Stoke Sentinel |access-date=10 May 2023}}
On 28 August 2023, Smallbone signed a three-year contract extension with Southampton.{{Cite web |date=28 August 2023 |title=Smallbone signs new three-year contract |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/smallbone-signs-new-three-year-contract |access-date=28 August 2023 |website=Southampton FC}} He scored his first league goal for the club on 30 September 2023 in a 3–1 victory against Leeds United.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2023 |title=Southampton 3–1 Leeds United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66898763 |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} On 17 May 2024, Smallbone scored the opening goal in a 3–1 victory against West Bromwich Albion in the second leg of the EFL Championship play-off semi-final, helping to secure his team's place in the final.{{Cite web |last=George |first=Dan |date=17 May 2024 |title=Southampton 3–1 West Bromwich Albion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd1qqyy590vt#Report |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=BBC Sport}} Later that month, on 26 May, he provided an assist for Adam Armstrong in a 1–0 victory against Leeds United in the final, ensuring his club's promotion to the Premier League.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Ben |date=26 May 2024 |title=Southampton promoted to Premier League by beating Leeds in playoff final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/26/southampton-promoted-to-premier-league-by-beating-leeds-in-playoff-final |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Gholam |first=Simeon |date=26 May 2024 |title=Leeds 0–1 Southampton: Adam Armstrong steers Saints back to Premier League |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13142442/leeds-0-1-southampton-adam-armstrong-steers-saints-back-to-premier-league |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Sky Sports}}
During a 3–2 home defeat against Leicester City on 19 October 2024, Smallbone made his return from an injury after he came off the bench, but manager Russell Martin feared he "tweaked" his hamstring during the game.{{Cite web |last=Rees-Julian |first=George |date=20 October 2024 |title=Martin fears Smallbone 'tweaked' hamstring in defeat to Leicester |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24664900.martin-fears-smallbone-tweaked-hamstring-defeat-leicester/ |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=Southern Daily Echo}} Martin later revealed that Smallbone was expected to be sidelined for "a little bit of time" after he battled through the pain barrier to play against Leicester City.{{Cite web |date=24 October 2024 |title=Smallbone sidelined after playing through the pain barrier |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/smallbone-sidelined-after-playing-through-the-pain-barrier |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=Southampton FC}} On 8 March 2025, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 defeat against Liverpool.{{Cite web |last=Begley |first=Emlyn |date=8 March 2025 |title=Liverpool 3–1 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c984988rzelt |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |date=8 March 2025 |title=Report: Saints undone by Reds revival |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/report-saints-undone-by-reds-revival |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=Southampton FC}}
International career
Smallbone qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland through his Kilkenny-born mother.{{cite web |title=Will Smallbone won't be tempted by England switch |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40063646.html |website=Irish Examiner |access-date=22 March 2023}} Smallbone made his debut for Republic of Ireland U21s against Italy U21s in October 2020.{{cite news|title=Italy U21 2–0 Republic of Ireland U21|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54510431|access-date=8 December 2020|website=BBC Sport|date=13 October 2020}} On 3 June 2022, he scored his first goals for the Republic of Ireland U21 team, scoring a brace in a 3–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 at Tallaght Stadium.{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Seán |date=3 June 2022 |title=Smallbone and Odubeko inspire Ireland U21s to victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/smallbone-and-odubeko-inspire-ireland-u21s-to-victory-over-bosnia-and-herzegovina-41718904.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |website=Irish Independent}} He followed that up by scoring a volley from outside the box three days later, to open the scoring in an eventual 3–1 win over Montenegro U21.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0606/1303268-ireland-u21s-overcome-montenegro-to-boost-euro-dream/|title=Ireland see off Montenegro to boost Euro U-21 dreams|first=Raf|last=Diallo| date=6 June 2022|website=www.rte.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-06-06/international-report-will-smallbone-ireland-under-21s-montenegro-6-june-2022|date= 6 June 2022|title=Smallbone continues scoring streak in Ireland win|website=Southampton FC}}
In November 2022, Smallbone was included in Stephen Kenny's senior squad for forthcoming friendlies. He made his debut on 22 March 2023 in a friendly match against Latvia, which ended in a 3–2 victory.{{cite web |last1=Leahy |first1=Ed |title=Chiedozie Ogbene secures hard-fought Ireland win against Latvia as Evan Ferguson opens his account |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0322/1365672-ferguson-opens-account-as-ogbene-secures-ireland-win/ |website=RTE.ie |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=22 March 2023}} He won Player of the Match award for his display against Latvia.{{cite web |last1=O'Hehir |first1=Paul |title= Stephen Kenny full of praise for Will Smallbone after Ireland debut |url= https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/stephen-kenny-full-praise-smallbone-29528502.amp |website=Irishmirror.ie |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=22 March 2023}}
Personal life
Smallbone was diagnosed with alopecia in 2021 whilst recovering from his ACL injury.{{cite web |title=Injury and alopecia: Smallbone's story |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-12-07/feature-interview-will-smallbone-southampton-football-club-2021 |website=Southampton FC |access-date=22 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=Will Smallbone opens up on alopecia and injury challenges |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1207/1265443-will-smallbone-opens-up-on-alopecia-injury-challenges/ |website=RTE |access-date=22 July 2022}} In December 2022, he became an ambassador for Alopecia UK.{{Cite web |date=6 December 2022 |title=Will Smallbone chats to Alopecia UK |url=https://www.alopecia.org.uk/blog/will-smallbone-chats-to-alopecia-uk |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=Alopecia UK}}{{Cite web |last=House |first=Alfie |date=8 December 2022 |title=Inspiring Southampton midfielder opens up on Alopecia to help others |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23177709.inspiring-southampton-midfielder-opens-alopecia-help-others/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=Southern Daily Echo}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=6|Southampton U21
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|97334|2016|access-date=18 January 2021}} |colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|97334|2017|access-date=18 January 2021}}
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|97334|2018|access-date=18 January 2021}}
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|97334|2019|access-date=18 January 2021}}
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total
!colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||||
| rowspan=6|Southampton
|9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|97334|2020|access-date=18 January 2021}}
|Premier League |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|97334|2021|access-date=16 December 2021}}
|Premier League |4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|97334|2023|access-date=4 August 2023}}
|43 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in Championship play-offs}} | 1 | 50 | 7 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|97334|2024|access-date=8 July 2024}}
|Premier League |18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 20 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!77||7||9||1||1||0||3||1||90||9 | ||||||||||
| Stoke City (loan)
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|97334|2022|access-date=23 July 2022}} |Championship |43 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 46 | 3 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!120||10||11||1||2||0||10||1||143||12 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 10 June 2025}}{{NFT player|id=90439|name=Smallbone, Will |access-date=8 September 2023}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Republic of Ireland
|2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 13 | 0 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/teams/profile/will-smallbone Profile] at the Southampton F.C. website
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Southampton F.C. squad}}
{{FAI Under 21 International Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smallbone, Will}}
Category:Footballers from Basingstoke
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:People with alopecia areata