One Southampton star has been praised by Academy Director Andy Goldie.
Southampton have endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 Premier League season under boss Russell Martin.
After just one point in seven games, it is clear that there are several issues on the pitch, and some signings quite simply haven’t succeeded in adjusting to the Premier League.
Onew of which is Ben Brereton Diaz, who is yet to notch his first Saints goal since he joined on a permanent deal from Villareal, whilst Cameron Archer has also struggled, despite bagging a goal in the loss against Arsenal.
The Saints will be hoping to rely on the few that have performed so far this season in order to pull them out of the mire, including wing-back Yukinari Sugawara, who has often looked very dynamic for the current Southampton side, alongside another star who has been deemed as ‘fantastic’ so far this campaign.
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Southampton star Tyler Dibling praised by Academy Director Andy Goldie
The Saints have had very few decent performers up until this point, but one of them certainly is young prodigy Tyler Dibling, who has offered an extra dimension to Southampton’s attack that they certainly like without him playing.
The 18-year-old right winger has rightfully been praised by Southampton Academy Director Andy Goldie, who said, per the Daily Echo: “I have only known Tyler for the 16 months I have been in post but during that time, I have found him such an amazing kid.
“He is such a consistent kid who has a fantastic identity as a human being first but also on the pitch. It is a great testament to the work that was done before I came in.
“An academy is also only as successful as the first team manager’s willingness to give them a chance and Russell Martin and his staff have given him that platform.
“It’s early days. Tyler is still an under-19, to put it into perspective, he has just come out of under-18s football, but he has really taken to the Premier League.
“It’s a step up but he’s performing well now and he’s got to remain consistent. I don’t think you can underestimate the support he’s had from Carl Martin and the staff.”
Dibling has managed one Premier League goal so far, and notably looked full of confidence and skill in the home loss against Manchester United, where he earned a penalty.
Russell Martin must look to play to Tyler Dibling’s strengths
There are certainly many fans that are less than happy with Martin’s current style of play at Southampton, and you only need to take a quick glance at the Premier League table to tell you that the Saints aren’t being effective enough in the final third under the tactics of the boss.
Dibling has been somewhat of an anomaly in the Southampton frontline by actually showing a direct threat towards the opposition defence and looks to cause trouble every time he receives the ball, and that confidence must simply be used to Martin and the Saints’ advantage.
The Southampton boss must without a doubt utilise a more attacking and direct approach, and take a leaf out of Dibling’s book, who is one of the few players in the side that are showing a threat as opposed to endlessly looking to carve openings past resolute Premier League defences.