Southampton manager Russell Martin has unearthed a real star in 18-year-old attacking midfielder Tyler Dibling.
Southampton fans have not had a huge amount to cheer about since their team returned to the Premier League with just one point and two goals scored so far.
However, the scorer of the latest of those two league strikes has certainly been a cause for optimism, as 18-year-old Tyler Dibling already looks a real talent.
Russell Martin was keen to bide his time before putting Dibling into the side instead handing him a series of cameos off the bench following a breakthrough pre-season.
Eventually, Dibling’s displays left Martin with no choice but to throw the teenager into the starting XI against Manchester United a fortnight ago and he followed that up with a first senior goal against Ipswich Town last weekend.
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Russell Martin on Southampton star Tyler Dibling
Martin is preparing his Southampton side for another crucial match as they travel to Bournemouth on Monday night.
This game represents an opportunity to get a first Premier League win, as well as bragging rights on the south coast, and Martin was inevitably asked about Dibling in his press-conference ahead of the match.
Martin was asked about how he goes about managing a young talent such as Dibling, to which he responded: “Tyler was unfortunate not to play earlier because he had an amazing pre-season.
“He has an incredible belief in himself in a really nice and humble and modest way, but he has to just keep living at 100% and understanding where that is and what’s got him this far.
“He has a brilliant support network with his family, he has a lot of trust from us and he gives that back.
“It’s not always plain sailing with young players, so [we need] to make him understand that and understand what’s really important – for him and for us.
“We’re fortunate, at this minute in time he couldn’t play for every team. He suits the way we play a lot and he’s getting so much better at the stuff he needs to improve on, but he needs to continue to grow and develop and stay so hungry.”
Martin makes Adam Lallana claim regarding Dibling
It is difficult not to get carried away when a young player bursts onto the scene and in England we are perhaps more guilty than anyone of getting overexcited.
Dibling is already attracting the attention of some of England’s biggest clubs and Martin set out what Dibling must do to ensure he continues to develop.
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Martin explained: “That’s always the challenge with young players when they have a quick rise is to keep them hungry and to keep them humble and to keep them wanting to learn and improve and develop.”
However, he praised the character of Dibling, saying: “But with Tyler I don’t see that being a problem. He’s such a calm and confident boy in the nicest way.
“So, as long as he maintains his sense of self and his character and his personality – and it’s up to us to help him do that, as well as his family – then I’ve got no worries about him.
“And with regard to his playing time, if he’s playing well and in form then he’ll be treated exactly the same as Adam Lallana whose 36-years-old. I don’t think age comes into it.”
That will be reassuring to Southampton fans who will worry about Dibling being pulled out of the starting XI to protect himself given he has already shown that he could well be key to survival this season.