Manager Will Still has been speaking about Everton transfer target Tyler Dibling ahead of Southampton’s game with Wrexham
Will Still speaks at the pre-match press conference to preview Southampton’s game with Wrexham
New Southampton manager Will Still has confirmed that Tyler Dibling will be left out of his squad to face Wrexham amid transfer interest from Everton. The relegated Saints face the promoted Dragons in their Championship opener tomorrow (Saturday, August 8).
The Blues have had three bids rejected for Dibling, who has been taken out of full contact training with his team-mates in order to reduce the risk of an injury that could scupper a big move.
Although Saints CEO Phil Parsons has admitted they are open to selling their prize asset, he insisted the 19-year-old will not depart on the cheap.
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Now speaking in his press conference to preview Saturday’s home game against Wrexham – his first competitive match in charge – Still has revealed that Dibling would be one of a trio of players omitted from his squad due to question marks over their futures.
The 32-year-old, who was born in Belgium to British parents and took up coaching while still a teenager having been inspired by playing the Championship Manager and Football Manager computer games, said: “There are a few players who are where they’re at in their careers and making choices, so Tyler won’t be there, Sam (Edozie) won’t be there, and Joe Aribo won’t be in the squad either.
“Everybody knows how big our squad is, how much quality we do have. We’ve picked 20 of them and we’ll go with that.”
Portuguese midfielder Matheus Fernandes will be involved, though, despite being the subject of transfer interest from West Ham United.
Still said: “Maty was back in training, same thing, on Tuesday. We’ve given him time and a bit of space, a bit of clear thoughts on what he wants to do.
“He’s missed a few days as well, or most of last week, so he’s sort of building back up to being ready. He’s there, he’s confident, he wants to be here, so it’s all good.”
When asked about potential incomings, Still claimed that sporting director Johannes Spor – who previously held a similar position at 777 Partners – was looking at players who actually wanted to be at Southampton, as the ECHO understands that while not formally placing a transfer request, Dibling has let it be known to St Mary’s chiefs that he wants to leave.
He said: “I think Johannes said last night, it’s a process. We also just don’t want to get any old player just because he looks half-decent.
“We want good players, but we want good people as well. We want players that can identify themselves to Southampton and we want players that want to be here and want to succeed here.
“I know it’s frustrating at times for supporters, and the football club as a whole but we need to get things right and I think Johannes is very conscious of that.”