David Moyes insists on patience regarding Tyler Dibling | OneFootball

David Moyes insists on patience regarding Tyler Dibling and believes that the youngster will get enough chances between now and the end of the season.

Signed from Southampton for £35M, he was Everton’s most expensive summer signing and has struggled to adapt so far. Dibling has made only four starts for his new club and has just 350 minutes of Premier League football under his belt.

He has largely blown hot and cold and, although he has struggled to live up to the expectations following his breakthrough season with the Saints, Dibling has shown glimpses of quality here and there.

Moyes reiterated his faith in the recently-turned 20-year-old and believes he will grow with time. “I think he’s one who we think we’ve got a really good, talented player on our hands. We need him to develop and get used to us a little bit,” the Everton boss said in the pre-match press conference before facing Manchester United.

“He’ll probably need a little bit of time. Even me looking towards the start of next season, I’m saying pre-season friendlies et cetera, all those things will help get him more established than when we got him in.

“Look, he’s beginning to learn a lot more about us. He’ll get game time I’m sure between now and the end of the season, so it’s good.”

The Everton boss had previously been critical of Dibling’s lack of effort, albeit indirectly. When asked in a press conference what the arrival of Tyrique George, who’s similar in age, meant for Dibling’s chances, Moyes had remarked, “I’d be thinking I better get my finger out and show the manager what I was really all about.”

Reader Comments (21)

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John Collins 2 Posted 20/02/2026 at 15:39:03

He's right.

Dale Self 3 Posted 20/02/2026 at 15:58:29

And now Dave plays good cop/bad cop.

Someone please tap him on the shoulder and tell him this isn't how you do it. Doing it in public will not help Tyler develop.

Phil Roberts 4 Posted 20/02/2026 at 16:02:43

The shortened form on the front page was:

David Moyes insists on patience regarding Tyler

And I thought -- so is he going to give Onyango another 1-year contract as he gets over his injury.

Edward Rogers 5 Posted 20/02/2026 at 16:05:16

We'll probably give him 2 years at least, Phil.

Brian Wilkinson 6 Posted 20/02/2026 at 17:36:24

Is this the same patience Barry has been getting week after week? How does he expect Dibling to get better by playing him then dropping him for weeks on end? Let's face it, when he has been given a chance, he has had either McNeil behind him, or O'Brien at right-back.

Same with Rohl, came in, had a decent game at Villa then never seen since.

The manager would rather shoehorn players in, even out of position, before giving the likes of Dibling or Rohl a run of games.

Logic says start Garner at right-back, he does a good job there and gets up the pitch, then has the option if push comes to shove of starting both Gueye and Iroegbunam in midfield to give the team a better balance.

Come Monday, I have a feeling Branthwaite, Keane and Tarkowski will all start and toss of a coin for him putting Tarkowski at right-back... it would not surprise me one bit.

Frank Fearns 8 Posted 20/02/2026 at 19:29:06

Absolutely not a clue.

The deal must rank as one of the worst in Everton's history. Someone, somewhere in our illustrious scouting system must have said the lads got potential but bonkers to go and splash out £40m.

If we spend that kind of money, it has to be on a player who is ready to step up immediately and not be nursed along.

Annika Herbert 10 Posted 20/02/2026 at 21:47:38

What Moyes is really telling us is that Dibling isn't showing the required defensive work expected of him. Remember, Dour Davie always wants that defensive insurance before any player can show their talent.

Whilst it's true the lad hasn't, so far, played up to his billing, he hasn't really been given an extended run either. Why play Dibling in his preferred position when you can shoehorn McNeil in there?

Moyes man-management skills are, much like his tactics, dull and boring.

Conor McCourt 12 Posted 20/02/2026 at 22:11:23

Brian,

Worse still, I am thinking he might switch Mykolenko there and play Jarrad left-back.

Realistically, I'd imagine he would start Coleman if fit.

Paul Griffiths 14 Posted 20/02/2026 at 01:57:20

Spot on, Dale (3).

Stu Gre 15 Posted 21/02/2026 at 07:24:50

I think it'd be unfair to say Moyes doesn't have good man-management skills, there are clearly players who would walk over hot coals for him.

But he does seem to struggle to motivate certain types of players. Dibling played well under Russell Martin's possession- and passing-based style, a progressive younger manager who probably made Dibling feel special. Ultimately though, not even I would substitute Moyes for Martin!

But it does make you wonder why we bought the lad given he's not a Moyes type player -- and I can't see how he ever will be. Moyes doesn't have a great record of improving raw young talent. I actually can't think of anyone.

I also think we need to forget about the price tag. It is surely £40M based on a number of years and conditions which haven't been met.

I just feel sorry for Dibling; he was probably promised the world and got Davey.

All this, from when Dibling signed, seems the opposite of what actually is happening :

"I think the manager is perfect for me," he added.

"Obviously he's helped so many players before who were in my position. I've spoken to him and I know he's going to be good for me.

"My aim for this season is just to play as many games as I can and to help the team as much as I can with goals and assists. As a team, hopefully we can have a good season and see where it goes."

Moyes said Dibling is a "talented young English player" with "lots of potential".

"Tyler adds to our attacking options and we will support him in his future development," he added.

"We are eager to build a team that Evertonians can enjoy watching and be proud of, and Tyler can help us achieve that."

Ian Bennett 17 Posted 21/02/2026 at 08:25:20

He did pretty well with Rodwell, Rooney and Osman.

It is very easy to forget Rodwell as his career went downhill at Man City and Sunderland. But he was given a debut at 16, played for England, and then moved for big money to City.

Osman was a player that many took for granted. Lacked true pace, and shoehorned on the right to accommodate better players. But I look back now and think he was actually a very under-rated player.

It's laughable that Moyes gets criticism for “not blooding young talent”. Rooney... all the way through to Armstrong and now George, this is one thing I don't think you can fault him for.

I doubt Moyes had anything to do with Dibling coming in, given how long these things take. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be pushed to take over from Ndiaye at the end of the season.

From a business and PSR perspective, it makes sense to buy a young English player.

As for Dibling, he looks like a player who is a bit in awe of everything going on around him. Moyes has said he is a “quiet lad”. So, like the man said, it takes time.

At the end of the day, he's a human before he's a football player.