It hasn’t quite happened yet for Tyler Dibling at Everton.
Signed from Southampton for £40 million last summer, there was real excitement about the signing of Tyler Dibling, who just months before had been valued towards the £100 million mark by the Saints.
Lots of clubs were in for him, and it was Everton who won the race.
How can Tyler Dibling actually turn things around at Everton? 🤷♂️
It's going to need some turnaround from the youngster 😫
However, with the 2025/26 drawing to a close, Dibling has failed to achieve regular starter status for the Toffees.
The 20-year-old hasn’t had the trust from David Moyes to play amid Everton’s push for European football.
That is not likely to change, and some have wondered about his immediate future.
But Leon Osman has now launched a passionate defence of the player, believing he will come good at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Leon Osman launches passionate defence of Tyler Dibling
Dibling’s lack of minutes have led some to wonder if he’ll still be here next season.
The prospect of a loan move could well be discussed, because there cannot really be a repeat of this season for him.
For Leon Osman, it would be a major surprise to him if Dibling wasn’t still a Everton player next season, as he defended the youngster.
He said (via BBC Sport): “This year has been an education. I would expect him to come back at the start of next pre-season looking like he’s ready to challenge for a first-team place.
“Now he’s had a whole year to understand what’s expected of him, but also let’s not forget that within all this, Tyler is a young lad who is known to be quite a homely person.
“He has moved the length of the country to live in a completely different environment, where he doesn’t know anybody, so that in itself is a big step for any young man.
“And he’s doing that with the weight of expectation that comes with huge price tag, with people expecting him in to deliver every single time in a completely different culture of football club. There has to be a level of understanding.
“I would be absolutely amazed if Dibling wasn’t at Everton next season and be expected to progress and be part of the team. He’s got incredible potential.
“It’s been a season of development, but that £40m price tag amplifies expectations and everything that goes with it.”
Everton relaxed over Dibling
It’s a slight shame that Dibling has had such a quiet first season, but Osman does raise some valid points.
It cannot have been easy for him for to transfer for that kind of money at that age.
That said, Moyes has continually called on him to do more, so he has to take some responsibility as well.
| Tyler Dibling for Everton |
| Appearances – 17 |
| Starts – 6 |
| Minutes played – 513 |
| Goals – 0 |
| Assists – 0 |
Everton are said to be comfortable about Dibling’s situation which is positive, but next season really will be interesting regarding Dibling.
Assuming he is kept around, we’ll need to see him force his way into the side fairly quickly and then seize his opportunities.
Failure to do that might prompt Everton to look at a loan move for Dibling.
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