Southampton fans have a new hero as 18-year-old Tyler Dibling scored his first senior goal against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Russell Martin has been keen to not put too much pressure on Tyler Dibling, but the Southampton academy product’s talents have become impossible to ignore.
After a series of impressive cameos off the bench at the start of the season and two assists when starting against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup, Martin finally decided last weekend’s game against Manchester United was the right time to throw Dibling in for his first league start.
It was a decision that paid off as Dibling immediately looked not just comfortable playing in the Premier League but one of the best players on the pitch as he gave Diogo Dalot nightmares.
Dalot eventually brought Dibling down for a penalty that Cameron Archer missed before United went on to win 3-0 but Dibling’s importance to the side was already clear despite his age.
As is always the way with emerging young talents, Dibling was immediately the subject of transfer speculation, with United themselves reportedly interested, and his manager has spoken on this.
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Russell Martin claims Southampton in ‘strong position’ with Tyler Dibling
Dibling has been learning a lot from Adam Lallana and it was Lallana who assisted Dibling’s first senior goal as he threaded a perfectly-weighted ball into Dibling who slotted calmly past the Ipswich goalkeeper.
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Lallana came through at Southampton before eventually moving to Liverpool aged 26 and Saints fans would love to have Dibling at the club for that long.
Martin spoke on the speculation surrounding Dibling to the Daily Echo, where he explained: “He’s ours. The club have turned down bids for him previously since I’ve been here. It’s not a secret to people who have watched under-21s football.
“He left the club [for Chelsea] and didn’t enjoy it where he went so he came back. We ultimately want what’s best for him and he has a great support network around him.”
Martin went on to add what he feels Southampton must do to keep the youngster at the club, saying: “We have to make sure he is constantly enjoying it and that we are playing a style that he can flourish in.”
Southampton need to tie Dibling down to new contract
Dibling currently earns £5k-a-week at Southampton and interested parties will be ready to offer the attacking midfielder a significant increase on that salary.
Southampton will feel that they are the best place for Dibling to continue his development and will hope that the fact they have provided the 18-year-old with Premier League football will show him that.
However, it is crucial that Southampton sign Dibling up to renewed terms to help dissuade any interested clubs.
Martin alluded that this is exactly what the club are looking to do with a new contract offer, as he said: “The speculation is nothing for him or for me. We are in a strong position and I’m sure we will look at securing and strengthening that even more.
“If he carries on doing what he is doing then he will deserve that. He just needs to focus on football and concentrate on what he is doing.”
Southampton fans have been in this position before and will know that they may have to enjoy Dibling while they can, but it looks as though the club have a real star on their hands.