Everton’s Premier League clash against Chelsea will be important for a number of reasons at the top of the table – with both clubs aiming to end the weekend in fourth place in the table.
Everton have been on an almighty run of form in recent weeks, winning four of their last five games in the Premier League to enter the European race.
David Moyes will be keen on continuing that run of form despite Stamford Bridge typically being a stadium that the Toffees struggle at, whilst other stars will have a point to prove in the capital.
However, for youngster Tyler Dibling, the game will be made even sweeter if he can have a part to play – given he played for Chelsea’s academy for two months before failing to settle.
Tyler Dibling’s Chelsea return makes the game even more important for him
Dibling, just 19 years of age, joined Southampton as an eight-year-old, remaining at the club until his 16th birthday.
With the plushy offer of bigger wages, stability and a professional contract at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, he made the move to Surrey with the hopes of becoming a star player at Stamford Bridge.
However, after just two months, Dibling returned to Southampton with homesickness, after reportedly feeling as though he was an ‘outsider’ at Chelsea due to his reserved nature.
The winger may not have become the player he is now had he failed to return to the south coast, and having made 39 Premier League appearances at such a young age, he’s ready to show Chelsea just what he is about.
Everton need to hand Tyler Dibling crucial minutes before his extended run of game time
Of course, this will be Iliman Ndiaye’s last game at Everton before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations, and he will likely start on the right-hand side.
But with Dibling evidently needing minutes as Ndiaye’s replacement for the month-long period that he could be away, the youngster could be added to the fray should the game situation be ideal for him.
Did Everton make a mistake signing Dibling instead of Hutchinson? If so, why… 😬
Dibling has not started for Everton since the start of October, featuring in just 18 minutes of Premier League football since, in games where Everton have been comfortably losing, or winning with ease.
Inviting him into the fray to potentially decide the game may well bring the best out of the youngster – showing Chelsea exactly what they missed out on thanks to his heightened development on the south coast.
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