Southampton FC claim issued on Tyler Dibling's situation at Everton - 'I find it bizarre' | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on Tyler Dibling's start to life at Everton

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Tyler Dibling has struggled for game time at Everton following his big money switch from Southampton in the summer.

It was reported that the forward made the move to the Premier League side in a deal worth £40 million after the Saints suffered relegation to the Championship, with his services having been courted by a number of top-flight suitors.

The 19-year-old impressed amid the Hampshire outfit’s disastrous campaign in the top flight, featuring 33 times and contributing two goals. This led to a lot of speculation surrounding his future when their 20th place finish under Ivan Juric was confirmed.

Everton won the race to his signature, splashing a lot of cash to get the deal out of the way, but he has so far yet to make much of an impression under David Moyes.

Tyler Dibling’s Southampton regret

When asked if Dibling made the wrong move in the summer, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders suggested he should’ve instead stayed with the Saints for one more year before seeking an exit.

He claimed that the beginning of the FA Cup season for Everton could give the teenager a run in the side to prove himself but that, on the basis of his start so far, he’s made the wrong move in his career and the Toffees' handling of his development has been bizarre.

“I do, I do think he made the wrong move, because it was a long way away as well, being a local lad down here he struggled a little bit when he went away at Chelsea,” Sanders told Football League World.

“I’ve got a lot of time for him, I think he’s a good player, and he’s got great potential.

“He could’ve done with another year at Southampton though, but I guess you get offered that sort of money it’s hard to turn it down.

“I find it bizarre that Everton wanted to spend that sum of money on a player and not utilise him or start giving him game time and start bedding him in.

“I guess FA Cup time will help, once the FA Cup kicks in after Christmas.

“But yeah I don’t think it was the right move for him.

“Another year at Southampton would’ve been spot on for him, but we’ve sold him and we’ve replaced him with Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza and Tom Fellows, so Saints have had the better deal.”

Southampton will be aiming to earn promotion back to the Premier League without Dibling, having signed the likes of Azaz, Scienza and Fellows in his place.

Will Still was appointed as manager in place of Juric in the summer, but he lasted just 13 league games in charge before being dismissed due to a poor start to the campaign.

Tyler Dibling’s move to Everton still has time to work out

Dibling is still only 19-years-of-age, so the fact he isn’t playing much at the moment isn’t a huge deal.

It won’t be great for his development by any means, but he still has time on his side to show Moyes what he can do and that he is ready for the Premier League.

Perhaps another year at Southampton, and competing in the Championship, would’ve been better for him in the short-term, but working alongside top flight talent at the Sam Dickinson Stadium could still be quite beneficial even if he isn’t playing regularly.

It’s also unlikely Dibling would’ve been sold for £40 million after a year in the second tier, especially if the Saints wouldn’t be earning promotion, so the club likely managed to cash in at the right time.