When a £100m price tag was casually thrown around Tyler Dibling's name during his Southampton days, the young star admitted it became a running joke among teammates. But behind the laughter was a serious truth: this was a generational talent, the brightest spark in a Southampton side destined for relegation.

Fast forward to today, and the 20-year-old's journey has taken an unexpected turn. After being linked with Tottenham and RB Leipzig, Dibling eventually joined Everton in a £40m deal—one of the club's most expensive signings ever. The plan was clear: he would be the cornerstone of Everton's new era at their stunning Hill Dickinson Stadium, under the guidance of returning manager David Moyes.

Former Southampton boss Russell Martin didn't hold back in his praise: "He is the most talented player I've ever worked with." But since arriving at Goodison Park, Dibling has found himself in a puzzling wilderness. He's started just four Premier League games this season, totaling only 513 minutes of action. Even when Jack Grealish—whose socks-down dribbling style drew comparisons to Dibling—suffered a season-ending foot injury, the youngster was overlooked. And Dwight McNeil, who Everton were ready to sell to Crystal Palace, has been picked ahead of him instead.

So what's behind this curious disappearance? The answer might be simpler than it seems. Moyes is known for nurturing young talent, and at 20, Dibling has time on his side. Behind the scenes, the Football Association remains high on his potential, with England Under-21 coach Lee Carsley making him a regular as they aim to defend their European Championship title. The future, both at club and international level, is still bright for Dibling—it's just a matter of patience and the right moment to shine.