Southampton’s academy looks to have produced a real gem in the form of 18-year-old Tyler Dibling.
Russell Martin has been careful not to put too much pressure on Tyler Dibling but the teenager’s performances off the bench left the Southampton boss with little choice but to hand him a first league start against Manchester United.
Southampton lost that game 3-0 but gave United an early scare as they dominated the first 30 minutes, with Dibling tormenting Diogo Dalot before the full-back brought him down for a penalty.
That spot-kick was ultimately missed by Cameron Archer but the footballing world had already sat up to take notice of Dibling by that point.
Dibling followed that display up with his first senior goal in just his second league start against Ipswich Town in the 1-1 draw at the weekend, coolly slotting home after receiving an inch-perfect Adam Lallana pass.
Understandably, Dibling is already attracting attention from some of England’s biggest clubs, but Southampton may have another academy gem who could follow in the midfielder’s footsteps.
- READ MORE: How Tyler Dibling really feels at Southampton amid latest Man Utd and Liverpool transfer interest
Russell Martin left impressed by Southampton youngster Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh
Southampton are famed for they academy, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Matt Le Tissier and Gareth Bale all famous graduates.
In the past few years it has been slightly less fruitful as Southampton have instead looked to sign young talents from other clubs by providing a first-team pathway.
However, the emergence of Dibling has got Southampton excited about their youth products again and Martin could soon have another youngster ready to push for the first-team in 19-year-old Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh.
O’Brien-Whitmarsh is a recent arrival to the Saints having signed from Cork City in January and actually has 27 senior appearances under his belt from his time in Ireland.
The midfielder made his first-team Southampton debut as a left-back off the bench for the closing stages of the 5-3 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City in August and travelled with the squad to face Everton in the competition last week.
Martin has now spoken on that O’Brien-Whitmarsh decision and the academy in general, saying: “There is a lot of really promising players (in the academy). We happened to choose Joe on that night because we weren’t sure about the fitness of one of our players.
“Unfortunately for Joe, he wasn’t involved. But for him to be around the team again, for where he has come from, is good.”
Speaking on why Southampton decided against loaning O’Brien-Whitmarsh out this season, Martin said:“There was a lot of loan opportunities for Joe but he was injured last year and we felt it was best for him to stay in the building.
“He will develop with us and train with us. He’s done it a lot. He’s been really, really impressive. He is one of a long list of players in the academy who have huge potential.
“We have to make sure we have a clear pathway for him and a clear plan. At the minute, it involves him being around first-team training and performing really well for the under-21s.”
Southampton fans can be excited about current academy products
Football fans always love it when a player comes through the youth system into the first-team, with supporters feeling a deeper connection with one of their own.
This has certainly been the case with Dibling, but fellow 18-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw has also shown enormous potential and has already been involved this season.
The club have seen fit to send the likes of Cameron Bragg, Zach Awe, Nico Lawrence, Lewis Payne and Dom Ballard on loan this season to gain invaluable senior experience and each player will be better for it.
- READ MORE: How every Southampton player out on loan has fared so far this season, as Dom Ballard impresses
It is difficult for Martin to hand out too many opportunities with a big squad and the fact each game is a high pressure affair as Southampton battle relegation.
However, he has shown with Dibling that he is not afraid of throwing a youngster in if he feels they are good enough to make a difference and this will be very welcome for any Saints talents hoping to get their break.