Things haven’t gone to plan for Tyler Dibling since his big move to Everton, but the young winger will get the chance to prove everyone wrong during a key period coming up for the Toffees.
After chasing him all summer, Everton finally got a deal done for Tyler Dibling. It didn’t come cheap, though, with Southampton ending up being paid a reported £42m for the teenager.
That obviously put a great deal of pressure on the young winger, and he’s not been able to establish himself in the team just yet. Indeed, Dibling has only played 62 minutes of Premier League football across four appearances.
Fans suggest David Moyes doesn’t rate Dibling and that’s why he’s left out of the team. Meanwhile, other staff have been impressed with Dibling in training and think he deserves more of a chance.
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League
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AFCON will open the door for Tyler Dibling
That chance is coming for Dibling, though. Moyes said Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye are in front of Dibling in the pecking order at Everton, which is more than fair given their current form.
But, with the African Cup of Nations coming up, Dibling is going to become very important for David Moyes as Ndiaye almost certainly jets off with Senegal for the tournament.
Senegal begin their campaign on December 23rd, with subsequent group games on the 27th and 30th. Given Senegal’s quality, there’s every chance they make it beyond the group stages. Indeed, they could go all the way again this year, which would mean Ndiaye would be away until January 18, 2026.
When you factor in travel and recovery time, that’s more than a month he’ll miss for Everton. The problem is, he’s going to be absent for a crucial run of fixtures for Everton, too; games against Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves, for a start, are must-win for the Toffees.
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So, it’ll be a perfect opportunity for Dibling to really step up and prove he’s got what it takes at this level. We all know he’s a talented player he is and how much potential he’s got, but he’s got to be given the minutes to adapt to the Premier League or he will never develop.
Moyes might not be keen on that idea right now, for whatever reason, but he will pretty much have no choice but to start Dibling during AFCON, and that’s a situation the player simply has to take advantage of.
Tyler Dibling in action for Everton.
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Did Tyler Dibling join Everton too hastily?
It’s said Dibling rejected Spurs and Aston Villa to join Everton; probably as he thought his pathway to first-team football would be a little smoother with the Toffees.
However, there is definitely an argument to be made that he should have stayed at Southampton instead.
After impressing in his maiden Premier League campaign despite Southampton’s awful season, Dibling had endeared himself to the Saints faithful and had a great chance to showcase himself in the Championship for 2025/26.
If he managed two goals and an assist in the top flight for one of the worst teams ever to grace the Premier League, just imagine what he could have done with a full season in the second tier?