Why Everton’s Tyler Dibling has been an unused substitute for four consecutive games

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Tyler Dibling arrived at Everton in a whopping £40m transfer from Southampton in the summer.

Everton fought long and hard to bring Tyler Dibling to Merseyside, and he was the most expensive recruit of the window.

However, Dibling has started just one Premier League game so far and has become an unused substitute in the last four games.

Just think who Everton could have signed instead for £40m… Did Everton make a mistake signing Tyler Dibling?

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Despite Dibling catching the eye in training, David Moyes has been very reluctant to use the 19-year-old wide player.

So, we’ve taken a closer look at why that may be.

• READ MORE: Former Everton star said he had to watch the Man United game on mute because of Gary Neville

David Moyes doesn’t trust Tyler Dibling defensively

In most cases, younger players are less polished at the defensive side of the game, and clearly that’s something which Moyes is concerned about with Dibling.

In the last four games, aside from the Tottenham Hotspur defeat, Everton have either been leading or drawing in the second half.

So, there has been less impetus for Moyes to bring on an attacking substitute, hence why Dwight McNeil has been preferred.

McNeil is clearly a more trusted substitute as he’s a more seasoned professional who’s had to operate in defensive teams for several years, mainly under Sean Dyche.

So, until Everton are behind in a game and have to chase a goal in the second half, Dibling will probably have to continue to wait for his chance.

Jamie Carragher reckons Dibling isn’t playing because Moyes is fearful of slipping down the league, so he’s placing his trust in the experienced players for now.

Tyler Dibling’s defensive numbers vs Iliman Ndiaye

Iliman Ndiaye is currently starting ahead of Dibling, so how do their defensive numbers compare to each other?

Well, it’s actually pretty evident that Ndiaye is much better at winning the ball back, as evinced by his tackling and interception statistics.

Ndiaye isn’t just excelling going forward; he’s also working really hard off the ball, and that’s something which Dibling must work on at Finch Farm.

Ndiaye is departing for the Africa Cup of Nations next month, so Dibling will get more opportunities over the festive period.

McNeil seems to be ahead of him in the pecking order for now, though.