Russell Martin has shown across his managerial career that he has no issues throwing in young players if he feels they are ready and it has been no different at Southampton.
Tyler Dibling is the latest example of this, with the 18-year-old Southampton gem capturing the attention of a wider audience with his display against Manchester United on his full Premier League debut on Saturday.
Southampton have always been a club keen to promote from within when it comes to their academy, with the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale just three examples of a fruitful youth system.
However, one of the most exciting of Southampton’s current crop of young talent is perhaps not as involved as he would like and Russell Martin has now explained why.
- READ MORE: Former Championship title winner thinks Southampton have a real ‘talent’ who must start more
Russell Martin explains Sam Amo-Ameyaw decision in Southampton vs Everton
That player is 18-year-old winger Sam Amo-Ameyaw, with many expecting the youngster to start against Everton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday after scoring his first senior goal against Cardiff City in the previous round.
Martin made ten changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Manchester United in the league but there was no place in the starting XI for Amo-Ameyaw, with Martin instead choosing to get minutes in the legs of Deadline Day signings Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet.
This left Saints fans a little disappointed but no one would’ve been more disheartened than Amo-Ameyaw himself.
The teenager ended the night an unused substitute and Martin was asked about his lack of involvement post-match by the Daily Echo, to which he responded: “I think it’s difficult for him because Tyler played so well. Max Cornet has come in. Adam Armstrong played 40-odd games at right wing last season.
“He’s 18. He’s already played a fair amount of minutes for us over the last season and a bit for his age. I think it’s a lot compared to others.
“He trains with us every single day and he has to keep improving.”
Martin went on to explain why Dibling has overtaken Amo-Ameyaw, adding: “He’s a really talented player but he’s physically not where Tyler is yet.
“He’s not where Maxi is yet. So we just have to be a bit patient with him. He’s a supreme talent and we love working with him.”
Martin concluded: “I’ve had a long relationship with him [Amo-Ameyaw’s agent] so he understands there’s a long-term plan with Sam. and we’ll just keep assessing his role and his situation.”
Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet will be better for Southampton minutes
Whilst Amo-Ameyaw’s frustration is understandable, it makes sense that Martin was keen to hand Fraser and Cornet an opportunity to get up to speed.
Having been frozen out at Newcastle United Ryan Fraser spent the summer training alone, whilst Cornet has not played regularly for the past two seasons.
Neither player did too much to get excited about but it will have been a valuable run-out to improve their fitness and match sharpness with the pair more likely to be relied upon by Martin in the immediate future than Amo-Ameyaw.