Forget early sale, Everton have high hopes for Tyler Dibling - Insider

Everton are retaining very high hopes for the future of Tyler Dibling despite a rocky start to his time on Merseyside.

That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 20-year-old joined the Toffees in a £40million deal from Southampton last summer and made just seven starts across all competitions, failing to return a single direct goal contribution.

But Dibling has remained at Everton this season instead of going out on loan, and the past week has provided hope that his prospects have improved.

The winger was handed the start in the Carabao Cup against Wolves last week and was hugely impressive, claiming his first assist for the club when he found Carlos Alcaraz for the winner.

He was subsequently rewarded by David Moyes with an appearance off the bench against Ipswich Town on Saturday, and enjoyed a positive impact once more.

'Everton have been looking at him far longer'

While Dibling has yet to explode, there has always been a suspicion that he could one day become a fantastic player.

The 20-year-old showed glimpses of such potential following his breakthrough at Southampton, and it is hoped at Everton that it is only a matter of confidence and time.

"Dibling's got his chance because there's been injuries in the football club," King told Football Insider. "Everton have been looking at him far longer than we have as a potential player to come in the football club.

"And to pay that kind of money, they must have been pretty sure that they were going to invest in a player who was going to be prominent in Everton football club for the next 10 years.

"But how many games for the first team has he played since he signed? So still got a lot to do. Everton's squad isn't the biggest, so when he gets his chance, he's got to take it.

"He's got to take it because he's got quite a bit to prove with that fee that's been paid for him."

How high is Dibling's potential?

Despite doubts over his treatment of Dibling, Moyes does have a good track record of developing young players.

If he can get it right with the winger, Everton will have a fantastic player on their hands.

"He gets on with all his team-mates, he isn't the main voice in the room but he wouldn't exclude himself," said Ryan Garry, who coached Dibling at the Under-17 level, in an interview with BBC Sport last year.

"There is a completely different characteristic when he is on the pitch compared to how he is off, but it's good - there's nothing wrong with that. He is a lovely kid and I really enjoyed working with him.

"He showed he had X-Factor. My personal challenge was to try to get him to show that in every session.

"Sometimes you've got boys who are on camp together, it takes them a little while to adjust to the group, the schedule and they're away from home. In terms of his potential - it's huge."