Tyler Dibling: Southampton’s Star With Comparisons to Grealish & Matt Le Tissier | OneFootball

From Le Tissier to Shearer through to Gareth Bale, the Southampton Academy defines the ‘Southampton way.’ Development of young players is pivotal to the history of the Saints, and the newest academy prospect, Tyler Dibling, has been likened to Matt Le Tissier himself. Here’s why…

Who Is Tyler Dibling?

Tyler-Jay Dibling, now 18 years old, joined the Southampton youth ranks at just 6 years of age. However, after ten years at the club, the Hampshire boy drew attention from Newcastle United and Chelsea in the summer of 2022. Unfortunately for the Saints, Dibling chose to join the Chelsea youth ranks, with the promise of a professional contract once he turned seventeen.

Just two months later, Tyler returned home after failing to settle in at Chelsea. He immediately rejoined the Southampton academy after his unsuccessful move away. Dibling then signed his first professional contract with the Saints.

In February 2023, Russell Martin handed Dibling his professional debut against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup. This was the first time the Southampton fans really saw the raw talent the young man possessed.

CARDIFF, WALES – AUGUST 28: Tyler Dibling of Southampton passes the ball whilst under pressure from Andy Rinomhote and Alex Robertson of Cardiff City during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Cardiff City and Southampton at Cardiff City Stadium on August 28, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

How Good Could Dibling Really Be?

In the 2024/25 season, the England youth star enjoyed cameos in the Saints’ first three Premier League matches against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Brentford. He especially shone in his twelve-minute appearance at home when he ran the Forest midfielders off the park.

In these dozen minutes, Dibling made three successful dribbles, won five duels, and won 100% of his tackles. Forest fans quickly admitted post-match that Dibling could have caused more damage had he been brought into proceedings earlier.

The starlet began a cup match away in Cardiff at the back end of August for the Saints and showed what he could do for the whole 89 minutes he played. Dibling picked up two assists, made six passes into the final third, and made 4 big chances (the most in the match). The power and speed that the 18-year-old runs with the ball are top-class.

Dibling most recently appeared for 34 minutes against Brentford in the league, impressively racking up 100% in long ball accuracy and tackles won. Two key passes capped off a display where the Saints’ youngster is now looking likely to start the coming games in the Premier League. There were even moments where he took the ball past three or four Brentford players.

Tyler’s usual position is as an attacking midfielder or a right-winger. He is left-footed but you would not know that he had a weak foot, with him seemingly being ambidextrous. The ball control, agility, and flair he possesses likens him to players of Jack Grealish and Emile Smith-Rowe’s caliber. And after watching him multiple times, there is no doubt he may reach this level. Considering Chelsea originally picked him out at just sixteen years old, it is clear the raw talent is there.

Adam Lallana (yes, he’s still around) is a player-coach at Southampton and has taken a couple of young players under his wing, Tyler Dibling included. This could be a huge factor in his success, having the expertise of someone who had been in his position years before. Dibling often likes to draw players in before bursting with pace and leaving them in the dust, as Lallana used to his advantage well. Football ability is one thing, but game intelligence is an attribute that can set players apart from the rest.

Southampton know their rightful place in the football pyramid, so if a bigger club comes knocking with a reasonable figure and Dibling wants the challenge, then they may have to let him go.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see a top-half Premier League side picking him up next summer. Then again, that’s a position Southampton will want to be in themselves. It’s where they spent a lot of their time in recent years!

Although you may not have heard much about Dibling yet, the English media will discover him very soon, and when they do, the bigger club interest might start to flow.

So now you know about this extraordinary talent that Tyler Dibling is, keep an eye out for what he does on the pitch for Southampton soon…