Southampton manager Ivan Juric expects Tyler Dibling to play an important role in Saints’ battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season but accepted the 18-year-old is currently not at his best.
The teenage winger was only used as a second-half substitute in Thursday’s 1-0 loss to West Ham, with Juric saying he felt 18-year-old Dibling was looking “a little bit tired” after an impressive first half of the campaign.
“He started very well, he is an incredible talent and in the past few games I’ve seen him be a little bit less explosive, which is normal as he is only young,” Juric said.
“He is a big talent, a great talent and I really believe he can be a really good player.”
At the other end of the age spectrum, Juric also believes 36-year-old midfielder Adam Lallana can be important to the club for the remainder of the season.
“He can help me with many things,” said the Saints boss. “As a player he did well [against West Ham] and he’s a clever guy with big experience.
“Sometimes, I have feelings that I can speak with him like he was my assistant. He has told me some very interesting things.”
