Southampton’s academy is world famous and has been responsible for a number of incredible talents over the years.
Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer came through at Southampton and scored a hat-trick on his full debut against Arsenal in 1988.
Club legend Matt Le Tissier progressed through the ranks before becoming the club’s greatest ever player and ending his career as a one club man despite countless offers to leave.
Gareth Bale became a four-time Champions League winner and Wales’ greatest ever player after a footballing education at Southampton, so it is a well trodden path to greatness.
One player who also came through very young at Southampton is Theo Walcott who made his debut as a 16-year-old before securing a £5 million move to Arsenal in 2006 and he has been speaking on the latest prodigy to make the step up to Southampton’s first team.
Theo Walcott compares Southampton talent Tyler Dibling to Jack Grealish
Tyler Dibling has burst onto the scene as the 18-year-old followed up an impressive full Premier League debut against Manchester United with a first senior goal against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Russell Martin has described the attacking midfielder as a “supreme talent” and Walcott has been left excited by what he has seen from Dibling already since his emergence.
Speaking on TalkSPORT’s Youtube channel, Walcott paid Dibling a huge compliment as he compared him to not just Bale but £100 million Manchester City man Jack Grealish.
Walcott said on Dibling: “He is an athlete. You can see the size of him already as well. It’s very much like the Gareth Bale sort of physique and the way he has got a bit of swag about him on the field like a Jack Grealish type.”
He then added: “Look, it’s one of those you have got to let him develop in the background, but Southampton might not be able to do that considering the start they have had, so he is going to have to perform but perform in a safe environment.
“And I feel like he’s only going to get improved, but we need to be patient. He has got a good manager around him, that’s going to encourage freedom.”
Southampton will hope to keep Dibling longer than Walcott and Bale
Given his obvious ability combined with the impact he has made on the Premier League it is perhaps not surprising that Dibling has already garnered the interest of the country’s top clubs.
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all believed to be monitoring Dibling’s situation, with Southampton hopeful the teenager will sign a new contract shortly.
- READ MORE: How Tyler Dibling really feels at Southampton amid latest Man Utd and Liverpool transfer interest
Everyone associated with Southampton will hope they can enjoy Dibling longer than they could Bale and Walcott with both players leaving before their 18th birthday.
Southampton were a second tier club when both players were sold, so Martin and co. will hope regular Premier League football will see Dibling commit his future to the St Mary’s club.