Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling is being hailed by some fans as the best talent to emerge from the club’s famous academy since Luke Shaw.
At just 18, Dibling still has a long way to go before reaching Shaw’s level—who earned 34 England caps and played in two major international finals. So far, Dibling has made only one Premier League start.
However, that debut was the perfect opportunity for Dibling to shine, with club insiders confident he was ready for the spotlight. Playing against Manchester United in the first match after the international break and under the TV cameras, Dibling made an immediate impact.
Within six minutes, the young winger tested United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who had to make a sharp save after Dibling comfortably outmaneuvered Diogo Dalot in their first duel.
Dibling was the most fouled player on the pitch, cut down four times as the FA Cup winners failed to get a grip on the breakout star.
Tyler Dibling earned Southampton a penalty against Manchester United (Image: Wyscout), which should have given Saints a deserved lead, but Cameron Archer missed the spot-kick. What followed was not Dibling’s fault.
There were scattered boos around the stadium when Dibling was substituted just over an hour into the match, but manager Russell Martin didn’t want to take him off. The young talent was suffering from cramp, unable to continue as his body adjusts to the physical demands of Premier League football.
Throughout the summer, Martin has grappled with the balance between knowing Dibling is ready for first-team action and the need to protect him. By the time the squad returned from Girona, it had already been decided that Dibling would stay with the senior team this season rather than go out on loan.
Martin is well aware of the risks of over-exertion at Dibling’s age, having seen how injuries affected young stars like Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia, costing them a year of their careers.
Another concern is the level of expectation, with Martin cautioning that exposure to fans’ praise on social media may not be helpful. “I just don’t want to put too much pressure on him too early, but he’s going to be a really top player if he keeps listening and working how he is,” Martin said.
Tyler Dibling is set to keep his place in the Southampton lineup for next weekend (Image: Wyscout).
Dibling has bided his time, and his failed move to Chelsea may have ultimately worked in his favor. Returning to Southampton took a degree of humility. Reflecting on the situation last season, Dibling acknowledged, “Southampton could have decided not to take me back, I had left, and I wasn’t their player anymore. They could have said, ‘We don’t want you.’ Luckily, I’m a half-decent player, so they didn’t,” he added with a smile.
Not only did Dibling turn down a significant wage increase from a potential move to Chelsea’s academy at Cobham, but he was also relegated to Southampton’s under-18s upon his return and had to earn his way back into the senior squad.
Yukinari Sugawara, who has played behind Dibling this season, remarked, “He will be one of the best players because of his mentality; everything will be top-level.”
Yukinari Sugawara mentioned in pre-season how effortless it is to play behind Tyler Dibling: “Just give him the ball and let him create.” Though facing the likes of Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot would add more complexity to the task, the partnership on Southampton’s right flank has been an exciting one to watch.
In Dibling’s earlier start, during the Carabao Cup away at a rotated Cardiff City, he had a direct involvement in four of Southampton’s five goals. Despite this impressive performance, Dibling had to remain patient. Manager Russell Martin later expressed regret for not starting him against Brentford and made the decision to include him in the lineup immediately after that defeat.
Now, it is his turn. He is ready. Dibling should be rested for Tuesday’s cup trip to Everton and charged up for the crucial visit of Ipswich Town next Saturday.
His load will still have to be managed but he is needed to spark the Saints attack. He should not be playing 90 minutes every week just yet.
He is becoming known as a wide player but his true position has been as a number eight. Simply, the tactical demands on the wing are better suited now.
He tops the Premier League for dribbles, attempting 12.6 per 90 minutes, and is second only to Man City’s Jeremy Doku for progressive runs.
He carries the ball a minimum of 10 meters in the opposition half, or 15 meters from one half to another, on average six times a match.
Although he will only get better, Dibling, like any 18 year old making his first steps in the senior game, is not going to play well every week.
He will need the support and patience of the fans – as much or more than fellow academy graduate Will Smallbone has been shown – and the staff.
Tyler Dibling was named Southampton’s Academy Player of the Year in May (Image: Southampton FC). While Russell Martin introduced Sam Amo-Ameyaw at the start of last season—who didn’t feature again in the league after a tough outing against QPR—things are expected to be different for Dibling.
Although Dibling isn’t undroppable, it’s crucial he isn’t phased out of the team. His first goal will be a momentous occasion, marking over a decade since he joined the Bath academy.
There’s also the question of securing his long-term future. Dibling signed a new contract in December last year, tying him to Southampton until 2026. Sources indicated that the deal includes an option for an additional year, giving Saints strong control over his value.
If Dibling continues to progress and cements a regular spot in the Premier League, discussions about a contract extension could arise sooner rather than later.
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