Tyler Dibling doesn't want to be considered another expensive David Moyes transfer flop at Everton
Tyler Dibling will be hoping to use the rest of this pre-season to prove that he’s not going to become a new contender for being David Moyes’ biggest high-profile transfer flop at Everton.
Snapped up for £35million, Dibling was the Blues’ most expensive signing of last summer but after the former Southampton man flattered to deceive when handed first team opportunities in the first half of last season, after the winter window closed, he featured for just a single minute at the end of the 2-0 home win over Burnley on March 3.
With Iliman Ndiaye yet to return following his post-World Cup break after turning out for Senegal, Dibling has an opportunity to show what he can do on the right wing for Moyes’ men. Although he did not feature in the stalemate at Bolton Wanderers, the 20-year-old started against both Dundee and Stoke City.
Dibling earned a score of 8 in the ECHO player ratings at Dens Park as Everton thrashed their hosts 4-0 but then he struggled in the 1-0 defeat at the bet365 Stadium and only received a 5. It perhaps could have all been so different for both him and his team-mates though if Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had converted a chance early in the second half that Stoke's substitute keeper Josh Griffiths tipped over the bar.
The youngster would have had an assist to his name for a goal that might have gone on to be the match-winner, yet that’s all ‘if, buts and maybes’ now. Given that today is the birthday of another player who Moyes splashed the cash on to bring to Everton, Dibling is reminded that he must start performing soon if he is to avoid being branded another expensive mistake.
Turning 47 today, Per Kroldrup became the most expensive defender in the Blues history at the time when he joined them for £5million from Udinese in June 2025 on the back of Moyes steering the club to their highest ever Premier League finish of fourth and Champions League qualification for the only time to date.
Kroldrup’s compatriot and former Liverpool star Jan Molby certainly seemed impressed as he told Everton’s website: “If David Moyes is looking for a centre-half with a bit of authority who can go straight into the Premiership from day one, he’s the right man.
“Arsenal were linked with him recently, which underlines his pedigree – and I think his three years in Italy will have given him some invaluable experience.”
Unfortunately, the man billed by BBC Sport on his arrival as being “powerful” proved less ‘Great Dane,’ and more ‘lost puppy’ among the rough and tumble of top flight English football.
In his book, Ossie: My Autobiography, Leon Osman, who made 433 appearances for Everton after being handed his first start by Moyes a fortnight shy of his 23rd birthday, said: “The gaffer paid £5m for the Dane Per Kroldrup , which was a lot of money for a defender back then. He came in and passed it well but…
“On his very first day of training, the gaffer took him to one side and started doing heading practice with him, like you would with a seven-year-old. It was a case of holding the ball, saying: ‘Are you ready? One, two, three – jump.’
“Honestly, it was incredible. I don’t know what happened, but he had obviously realised that heading wasn’t Per’s strong point. £5m for a centre-half who can’t head the ball!
David Moyes listens to Per Kroldrup during an Everton training session in 2005
David Moyes listens to Per Kroldrup during an Everton training session in 2005(Image: Bradley Ormesher)
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“You can be as talented as you like but in the Premier League you’ve got to be able to head it. Per came from Udinese in Serie A where the defenders were comfortable on the ball, good at positioning but not overly physical.
“Per didn’t seem to want to head it, which was incredible for a centre-half. He went on to spend six years with Fiorentina, so he’s obviously a good player but he wasn’t set up for the Premier League.
“Per started one game, away to Villa on Boxing Day, and we lost 4-0. He was up against big John Carew, who just annihilated him."
Kroldrup turned out in just 147 minutes of action for Everton before they cut their losses and sent him back to Italy the following January.
Osman believes his former team-mate might have adapted quicker if he’d arrived in England in more recent times. He said: “I reckon if Per came back now he’d be a lot better. It can take people a while to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and he simply wasn’t ready.
“Overall the manager made some great signings, and you are always going to get a couple that don’t work. He brought in Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka for £5m each and they both worked out incredibly well.”