David Moyes didn’t mince his words when asked about the impact of Tyrique George’s signing on the club’s most expensive summer addition, Tyler Dibling. The Everton boss has urged the youngster "to pull his finger out" after a difficult start to life on Merseyside.
Despite carrying a lot of hype after his breakthrough with Southampton, Dibling has spent most of the season on the bench. The 19-year-old has been behind the likes of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil and has recorded only four starts so far, with his performances being lukewarm at best.
Everton signed youngster Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea with an option to buy on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window. George, capable of playing on either flank, is expected to shore up the frontline.
Asked how Dibling would react to this added competition in the pre-match press conference before facing Fulham, Moyes said, “I’d be thinking I better get my finger out and show the manager what I was really all about.
“The one thing is Tyler has got on his side is that he is young and he is a quite a quiet boy who might take more time to settle in. Might. But he needs to show when he gets the opportunities.
“I think there are just little glimpses of him just beginning to get angry, which I am enjoying, just beginning to be someone who might have to get angry in order to show what he wants to do.”
The Everton boss also added that Dibling needs to add more confidence to his game and have a greater impact in the final third of the pitch.
“What we want from him is being direct, taking people on, committing people, Jack Grealish does it in a way where he drags the ball and brings people to him and finds a way of not releasing.
“It doesn’t need to be all one way, but he needs to get a way of becoming that player who we bought that we thought would be creative. Are you going to get us some assists, are you going to score some goals? He is just showing little signs that he is heading towards that a bit better.
“I think Tyler is more angry with himself. He is quite a quiet boy, but I think he is angry with himself because I think he is realising that if I don’t get my finger out than I am going to get pushed aside here.
“He has more competition but that is what happens in football. If you want to be at the elite end of football, then the competition is stiff and you have to live with that.”
At the same time, Moyes believes that George’s signing will only help Dibling. The two players, part of the England U21 team, share a close bond and were photographed in training together at Finch Farm this week.
“They’re quite close and quite pally, they know each other. So, hopefully it helps Tyrique as well as Tyler,” added Moyes.
Reader Comments (23)
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2 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:33:31
It is unusual for the manager to be quite as critical in public, but he has been demanding of some of his players... Barry etc.
3 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:45:53
Which part... as I don't recall Moyes's other comments on the lad.
4 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:57:09
“He is a quiet boy and it is going to take a bit of time for him to come out of his shell.”
He said this in October. So perhaps he feels the need to now to give him the hurry up, after under-whelming performances since.
5 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:57:16
If you are given the ball from a standing start, it's likely two defenders will be on you straight away. He needs a ball to run onto that in turn gets defenders panicking, ie do I lunge in or back off?
I don't see Dibling's fortunes improving until we utilize him better with counter-attacks as he is not yet at his potential, being 18.
Finally, it's good that the manager is asking him to be more aggressive and direct but he needs help and let's not forget he is still just starting out. There's a top player in there, albeit in 2-3 years time.
6 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:58:30
I think this public kick up the backside might be just what Tyler needed. I also like that Moyes is encouraged by Tyler being angry with himself for not producing what he did at Southampton.
Moyes said he is a quiet boy and it shows at times. I have been critical of the boy, but I am sure if we all think back to being 19 and probably stuck in a hotel 8 hours a day because you are miles from home might have a negative impact.
Also, having George here might help. He's about the same age and they have played together for England and probably being in the same hotel will help. I really hope Tyler comes out of his shell and shows us the ability he has.
7 Posted 07/02/2026 at 13:13:48
Rather like Barry a few months ago, his confidence looks totally shot but that won't get better if you get 3 minutes at the end of a game, even when there are injuries in your position.
At least George can give him some company...
8 Posted 07/02/2026 at 13:17:30
I can't help thinking after reading this that, if he doesn't show improvement between now the end of the season, he'll be moved on.
9 Posted 07/02/2026 at 13:18:47
Unravel that one if you can.
10 Posted 07/02/2026 at 13:48:56
5 mins here and there expecting assists and goals is a tad rich Moyesy.
11 Posted 07/02/2026 at 14:09:33
12 Posted 07/02/2026 at 15:18:08
McNeil, in my own and most other Blues opinion(s), is not only totally out of position there but proves it everytime he plays on the right wing by offering pretty much zilch again!
Has David Moyes honestly not learned that even from previous Everton managers, let alone his own eyes?
13 Posted 07/02/2026 at 15:37:47
I'm keeping the faith anyway, he's got all the talent/ He needs the mindset now.
14 Posted 07/02/2026 at 17:48:06
19 appearances, 517 minutes played
Goals 0
Assists 0
Chances created 0
Obviously it's early days but I've literally seen him have zero effect on any game he's played in.
There must be some ability in there but I'm most worried about his lack of confidence.
I suspect we have bought a dud.
15 Posted 07/02/2026 at 19:00:14
Southampton must have laughed all the way to the bank!
Southampton had been one of the worst teams in the Premier League for some time... but someone thought he was good.
16 Posted 07/02/2026 at 21:22:50
Barry was the same but he has shown a bit of improvement. Maybe the signing of George might bring him out of his shell a bit...
17 Posted 07/02/2026 at 22:39:55
Not mentioned above but surely a season-long loan to Preston or similar would be following the new Everton youth strategy.
18 Posted 08/02/2026 at 04:54:35
Mind you, didn't Moyes say this last month in our damp window? We also, according to Kinnear, are only interested in buying 'exceptional' players.
You also have responsibility here Moyes. What fucking good does what in effect is a very public dressing down do?
You've already said that the lad lacks confidence. Do you want us all to write to Dibling to tell him to get his finger out? Tell us why you signed him in the first place for that money, instead of this pathetically poor piece of man-management?
19 Posted 08/02/2026 at 05:31:20
20 Posted 08/02/2026 at 10:45:35
Now that will really go down well with the Moyes haters... in fact, they will really be pissed off.
21 Posted 08/02/2026 at 13:00:59
Can't use age, plenty around the league are younger than him, a fair few aren't even born here in this country, some not even from this continent, and they've stepped up more than he ever has.
Step up or step off time.
22 Posted 09/02/2026 at 03:52:39
It's nobody's failure – yet. It takes longer for some young players to dial in than others. Several of Lookman‘s managers, at Everton and elsewhere, gave up on him before the penny finally dropped. Now he's a star and playing in Madrid.
I'm not calling time on this kid. Let's see how he presents after a solid summer of training. Maybe he'll grow and succeed after all.
23 Posted 09/02/2026 at 07:38:47
I hope he's getting counselling as a public dressing down could ruin an immature lad.
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1 Posted 07/02/2026 at 12:28:42
He could have just said that he is still settling in and then quietly ask him to report to the Office after Monday's training.