Andoni Iraola has identified two Southampton players who could pose a significant ‘threat’ to his Bournemouth side on Monday night.
Despite suffering four defeats in their first five Premier League matches, Southampton have shown some promising signs.
Flynn Downes, who completed a permanent move from West Ham this summer, has adapted well to the Premier League. The 25-year-old midfielder has covered more ground than any other player in the league, demonstrating his impressive ability in the heart of midfield.
Besides Downes, 18-year-old Tyler Dibling and wing-back Yukinari Sugawara have also stood out as bright talents under Russell Martin’s management.
Tyler Dibling has emerged as Southampton’s brightest academy talent this season, earning a place in the starting lineup. The dynamic winger made his full Premier League debut against Manchester United, where he outplayed Diogo Dalot and scored his first senior goal in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich.
Southampton is eager to secure Dibling on a new contract, as he has developed a promising partnership with Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara on the right flank. Sugawara, who joined from AZ Alkmaar for £6 million this summer, has quickly won over Southampton fans with his standout performances.
As Southampton prepares to face Bournemouth on Monday, manager Andoni Iraola has identified Sugawara and Dibling as key threats for his team to watch. Speaking about Dibling, Iraola told the *Daily Echo*, “It’s impressive for an 18-year-old to play like this. He’s one of the threats we’ll need to defend, but they’ll also be concerned about our own threats.”
Iraola also noted the strong partnership between Dibling and Sugawara: “He’s had a big impact for someone so young, and his combination with Sugawara has been particularly dangerous on the right side. We’ll need to be very strong defensively on that side.”
Dibling can become a regular match-winner for Southampton
Tyler Dibling’s rapid rise into Southampton’s first team has been nothing short of remarkable, making an immediate impact in the Premier League. Theo Walcott has even compared Dibling to a young Gareth Bale, while manager Russell Martin was thoroughly impressed by the teenager’s performance in the recent win over Ipswich Town.
Although Southampton have struggled to find the back of the net in the top flight, Dibling’s composed finish against Ipswich demonstrates his ability to capitalize on opportunities inside the box. While relying on a teenager for crucial goals isn’t ideal, if Dibling can produce another moment of brilliance with his left foot to secure three points against Bournemouth, Southampton certainly won’t be complaining.
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