Everton summer signing Tyler Dibling is suffering from a real lack of minutes after making his big-money move from Southampton.
It has not been the start to the season, which Dibling would have been hoping for after bursting on to the scene last season in the Premier League.
David Moyes was delighted to have signed Dibling, but that has simply not translated into opportunities for the 19-year-old in an Everton shirt.
This has been the case for a number of other youngsters on Merseyside over recent years, with Harrison Armstrong being sent out on loan to pick up more regular minutes.
Everton News understands that Everton want Armstrong to remain on loan at Preston North End for the remainder of the campaign.
With the January transfer window approaching, Everton News’ transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has now shared what he’s been hearing about the youngster from Merseyside.
England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
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Everton have full confidence in Tyler Dibling
On Tuesday evening, Dibling was snubbed by England’s U21s during their game against Slovakia as he watched the full 90 minutes from the bench.
There may be a growing concern over the 19-year-old’s lack of minutes, which may be hindering his development in an Everton shirt.
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Speaking to Everton News, Bailey has shared exactly how those on Merseyside are viewing the youngster’s progression ahead of the January window.
“Obviously he simply hasn’t played that many Premier League games as well. He’s got more experience than Thierno Barry clearly and obviously a bigger asking price, but Dibling is just a work in progress,” Bailey told Everton News.
Did Everton make a mistake in signing Tyler Dibling?
“There’s not a worry with Dibling. He’ll get his chance sooner rather than later and they are happy with him.”
Moyes fought for the signing of Dibling, which does make it slightly odd to see the youngster struggling so badly for minutes on Merseyside.
Obviously, the 19-year-old has Iliman Ndiaye ahead of him in the pecking order, but the substitution against Sunderland to bring Dwight McNeil on ahead of Dibling was a real shock.
Dibling’s opportunity may come during Iliman Ndiaye’s absence
Next month, Everton will lose Ndiaye to the Africa Cup of Nations, where he will be out of Premier League action for weeks.
Ndiaye departing for AFCON will be Dibling’s perfect opportunity to make a real case for himself under Moyes.
However, there is no certainty that he will start ahead of the likes of McNeil and Carlos Alcaraz.
Moyes has mooted an opportunity for Dibling in December when the Senegal international heads off for AFCON.
“We’re hopefully going to try and get Tyler ready. Nobody’s really talking about how we’re going to lose Ili mid-December, and there’ll be opportunities that arise for players [then] and we’ll see what comes around at that time,” said Moyes.
An interesting few weeks lie ahead for the 19-year-old.