Everton must pay a lot of attention to Tyler Dibling throughout the summer.
David Moyes needs to find a way to get the England U21 international back in form, with many Everton fans currently questioning why £40m was spent to sign the 20-year-old from Southampton last August.
The winger has made just four Premier League starts this season, and has been left sitting on the bench in the past eight games.
It remains to be seen how Moyes coaxes the best out of Dibling next season, but Leon Osman has now suggested homesickness is to blame for the youngster’s quiet debut campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Moyes outers… is there anything he can do to change your mind? 🤔
Leon Osman thinks Tyler Dibling just needs time to settle
Speaking to Tony Bellew on the Outside the Box podcast, the 45-year-old said: “He’s a slow burner. It’s been made quite public and obvious that he’s a shy and reserved lad in his character.
“Everybody’s different. He’s a more reserved character. He’s going to find a move away from home tough. Remember, he’s like 20 years old. He’s still a baby.
“Imagine your kid moving away from home across the country and huge demands (being put) on his shoulders and expectation.”
Dibling has previously felt the need to change clubs due to reported homesickness.
The Everton No.20 left Southampton for Chelsea while still an academy player back in 2022, but after just six weeks, wanted to return to the south coast having struggled to settle, according to the BBC.
Dibling – who may soon have Jarrod Bowen as competition – is even a fan of Chelsea, which speaks volumes about the strength of his homesickness on that occasion.
It feels like the best thing for Moyes to do is to put an arm around his shoulder and make him feel more welcome at Everton, something the Glaswegian is seemingly yet to do as he instead uses criticism as a way to motivate Dibling.
How can Tyler Dibling actually turn things around at Everton? 🤷♂️
It's going to need some turnaround from the youngster 😫
If Moyes cannot get more out of the £40m man next season, then The Friedkin Group will have to either consider a sale, or find a new manager who can work more effectively with young talent.
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