England Under-20 manager Aidy Boothroyd has warned Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe that he must not let the hype surrounding him go to his head and has to work hard to fulfil his potential.
Liverpool recalled the youngster from a loan stint at Derby County earlier this season and he instant struck his claim for a first team spot.
Ibe turned in several impressive performances, not least in the Merseyside derby against Everton, and is now touted as the natural successor to Raheem Sterling, who wants to leave Liverpool this summer.
Boothroyd has little doubt that Ibe has bags of talent, but still feels he has a long way to go to fulfil his potential. And he has warned the youngster that Sterling leaving will not necessarily mean he becomes a first team fixture.
The England Under-20 boss told Press Association Sport: "That [talk of being Sterling’s successor] puts a little bit more pressure on Jordon. That's the thing about the modern-day game – we are always speculating.
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"What I know about Jordon is that he is a player who is full of potential. He has got the opportunity at Liverpool and he has proved he is capable, but now he has to go one better.
"He needs to be one of those players who is first on the teamsheet and you do that by working hard, regardless of anyone else's contractual situation.
"He needs to take care of his own situation to make sure he is right.
"These young players have got exposure and what they have to do is back it up.
"Talent is fine but playing is the most important thing and when you look back at the end of your career the longevity, what you have done and what you have won, most importantly, that's where you gauge yourself."
Ibe recently signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, being rewarded by the Reds for his progress.
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