Dibling explains his decision to commit future to Southampton

"I don't feel the pressure," he insists, despite manager Russell Martin tasking him with being among the best academy players every single week.

Dibling claims he has not changed much since he was named on Ralph Hasenhuttl's Premier League bench at Brentford when he was just 16 years old in May 2022. 

Physically, he has. Turning 18 in February, Dibling has developed the attributes required to display utter domination of pitches in under-21 leagues.

His last contract was set to run for another 18 months but Saints have moved to tie him down to a new deal to 2026 with an option for an extra year.

The England youth international made his club debut as a late substitute against Gillingham in August but that was only five minutes in a shameful defeat.

Tyler Dibling made his Saints debut as an 85th-minute substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Gillingham (Image: Matt Watson)

His first chance might come in 2024, but it might not. Dibling, who grew up playing for Axminster Town, just like his father and younger brother, is willing to wait. 

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: "We're getting pushed into the first team now but obviously, we're not going to play this year, if you know what I mean.

"It is about pushing and being patient to play next year, the year after that, or even the year after that. I know if I stay here, I'll get a chance. I just have to take it.

"I've been here since I was so young and I know how many players have been given opportunities." 

He continued: "We're starting to do a bit more now, with me, Jayden (Meghoma), Sam (Amo-Ameyaw) and now Cam Bragg coming up to the senior group loads.

Tyler Dibling in training with the Saints first team (Image: Matt Watson)

"Hopefully, I can play in the FA Cup as a chance to prove a point but I need to keep scoring goals in the 21s and when my chance comes, take it."

Although Dibling joined Saints more than 10 years ago, it was not a completely simple journey to signing professional terms with the club. 

His move to boyhood side Chelsea in August 2022, with the promise of a pro deal when he turned 17, was painfully public and cost him some standing at Staplewood. 

Dibling labelled it a "stupid" decision - but failing to settle in at the famous Cobham academy helped put things into perspective. 

🚨 Interview with Tyler Dibling, now exhibiting some of his best form at U21.

Great to speak with Tyler on:

🔴 Why he believes new style suits him.
⚪ Tough season after Chelsea return.
🔴 Confirms his preferred position.
⚪ First-team chances under Martin.

🔗👇#SaintsFC

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) October 14, 2023

He adds: "Southampton could have not taken me back, I had left the club and I wasn't their player anymore.

"They could have said, 'We don't want you anymore'. Luckily, I'm a half-decent player so they didn't do that," the attacking midfielder quipped. 

"Last year, when I first came back, I was playing under-18s when I probably shouldn't have been, but I had that kick now and I'm past it.

"I have done it with the 18s when I was younger, now it is about doing it in the 21s and getting up to the first team." 

Standing on the shoulders of a decade of tutelage, Dibling propelled himself into the public eye with an incredible 45 minutes at St James' Park.

Making only his second appearance at under-21 level, Dibling scored a hattrick of near-identical goals at Newcastle United's historic home.

Despite the fact he had already represented England it was probably the first time many cottoned on to his potential, and murmurs of interest came not long after.

"It was only my second game and, if you see me play, I am always getting in those positions, cutting across people. That's my trademark," Dibling recalled. 

"That is what I did at St James' Park and when the first one went in it took the pressure off a little bit, I knew I was going to play well. 

"I didn't even realise they were identical when I was playing - I only realised they looked it after when the club posted it online."

He continued: "When you go viral, it gets your name out there. You don't want to live off your name but it's good if it can tell people how good you are.

"That is what you want as an academy player, to get your name out there as much as possible. That helped and gave me a real platform."

Tyler Dibling, and academy director Andy Goldie, after signing his new contract (Image: Southampton FC)

Martin named Dibling on a Championship bench for the first time when Cardiff City were beaten 2-0 at St Mary's earlier this month.

He had travelled with the squad to Preston a few weeks prior but his name did not make it onto the sheet handed over to referee Jeremy Simpson. 

Dibling once again joined Saints for last week's trip to Coventry City and insists he has learned a lot despite not making it out of the dugout. 

"When you're on the bench, it's good to see what the pros are doing in my position on and off the ball," he said. 

"You want to come on but when it's 1-1 you know Russ can't really put you on. I am hoping that the next time I am on the bench we score three. 

Saints manager Russell Martin admitted Tyler Dibling would 'play every week' if the task was solely to develop the club's best talents

"Take a comfortable lead and then I can get a little opportunity. I know it can be seen as a risk to play a young player, we don't know the system as well and things like that. 

"However, Sam had a chance at the start of the season and he took it so that is just what you have to do." 

The Exeter-born starlet would have been watching Southampton's comfortable victory over Blackburn Rovers last time out knowing that was one such scenario. 

Martin had been speaking about Dibling only the day before, after watching him play Premier League 2 football versus Derby County's under-21s at Staplewood. 

Tyler Dibling was a creative force in Southampton's U21 win over Derby County on Friday (Image: Chris Moorhouse)

Playing as an eight in Martin's 4-3-3 - where he claims to feel much more comfortable than as a 10 in the 4-2-2-2 - Dibling showed his class.

Chances for both Princewill Ehibhatiomhan and Amo-Ameyaw, the second forged by Dibling's ingenuity with a first-time backheel into space, went begging. 

Martin laid out his expectations for the likes of Dibling and Amo-Ameyaw to be the best players in the team every single week, to which Dibling insists he feels no pressure. 

It is the words of arguably football's greatest-ever player that have inspired the way Dibling now operates between the lines. 

He explained: "I just stand still. Lionel Messi said it, the way to get the ball more is to stand still. 

"If their six is going across, I'll just stay where I am in a bit of space and I know I'll get the ball. Braggy is good at getting it to me. 

"I'll see where their 10 in front of me is and I'll move off his shoulder. If he goes that way, I'll go the other. It's about doing the opposite and letting the game move around you."