Tyler Dibling braced for Everton transfer 'disappointment'

Tyler Dibling braced for Everton transfer 'disappointment' - 'There's no-one else'

A former Southampton favourite has been talking Tyler Dibling after Everton saw three bids rejected for the winger

Tyler Dibling during the pre-season friendly match between Eastleigh and Southampton. The Saints player is a summer target for Everton. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

David Moyes hardly needed a reminder, but he got one anyway on Monday night when his Everton side started the new Premier League season in underwhelming fashion. While the decision that led to Leeds United's winner from the penalty spot was harsh, in truth the Blues got what they deserved.

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There were mitigating circumstances for the performance. The injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko were bad enough but the absence of the defensive duo weakened Everton's biggest strength - their goalkeeper and backline - and left team-mates playing out of positions.

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In the first half in particular, it looked very much a case of round pegs in square holes, but overall the evening served to underline that Moyes needs at least three more new players who are ready for the first team before the transfer window closes on September 1.

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If Adam Aznou, like Mykolenko, is injured or if the Everton coaching staff do not believe the prospect bought from Bayern Munich is ready for senior top-flight football, another left-back must be added to the list.

But for many Blues supporters, a right winger is the biggest priority. In the club's defence, it has not been for a lack of trying.

Everton were linked with the likes of Francisco Conceicao, Johan Bakayoko. Malick Fofana, Ben Doak and Omari Hutchinson before they showed their hand over highly rated Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling.

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The Blues have had three bids rejected for the 19-year-old, who is said to be interested in making the move to Merseyside, with the most recent a package that had the potential to rise to £37.5m.

With Southampton seemingly unwilling to move toward Everton's valuation, the club has taken its search for a right-wing option elsewhere.

The Saints, meanwhile, included Dibling in their squad for Sunday's (August 17) Championship clash away to Ipswich Town.

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The England Under-21 international was left out of Southampton's season opener amid heavy interest from Everton but returned against the Tractor Boys, coming on as a late substitute.

And speaking after that match, former Saints and Norway midfielder Jo Tessem addressed the future of Dibling.

Tessem, speaking on BBC Radio Solent, who he now works for as a co-commentator, said: “It's a tricky one. It's not helping anyone.

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“He could have handled the situation differently in my eyes and it would have been to the benefit of Tyler Dibling and to the benefit of the club. People will be sold if the price is right.

“I think he has to accept that he is the property of Southampton Football Club and we shouldn't sell players cheaply. He has to have that understanding that the price they are asking for is fair.

“For a young player like him, a super-talented player, it is the price that they go for. You are in the business world of things.

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“But I think the situation could have been handled differently. He should have been training, he should have been with the team. Until you are someone else's property, you belong to Southampton Football Club.

“Let's put a line under it - he is back. He wants to be committed, join in and play. Okay we draw a line under the situation and he's now part of the team so we can judge him on that.

“There is no doubt that Tyler Dibling is a super-talented football player and we want to see him fit and ready. If he can show his team-mates he is ready, it will never be a problem.

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“I think he would benefit from playing in the Championship, playing week in week out and competing for a place. He has put himself in a bit of an awkward position and the reality is that he might be here after 1 September.

“I don't think there is anyone else but Everton who have put in a bid, from what I have understood. That means if they are pulling out, there is no-one else.

“He might have to get his head set on that and get on with the disappointment. If he's going to play the blame game and say: 'Southampton should have sold me', it's going to hinder everyone.

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“It's going to hinder him from being a good football player and that's what he needs to focus on.”

The Blues play their first competitive match at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday when they host Brighton & Hove Albion (2pm kick-off).

Speaking after the 1-0 defeat at Leeds, Moyes said of transfers: “The attacking players, we are desperate to get more quality.

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“But let's be fair, it's something I think I've been saying for a while that I'm having to try and find ways of getting that better.”

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