While Evan Ferguson remains one of the most exciting talents in world football, it is fair to say that the last couple of months have not panned out in the manner he would have hoped for.
The Meath native looked to be on course for a stellar season after his hat-trick against Newcastle earlier in the campaign, but he has not really kicked on in the way that many would have expected him to.
That is not entirely his fault. He has suffered with injuries at times, while Brighton's form in the league has also been patchy at best. In saying that, the striker has also struggled to produce in quite a few of those fixtures.
His manager has not shied away from reminding him of that fact.
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Roberto De Zerbi makes interesting Evan Ferguson comments
Roberto De Zerbi is a huge fan of Evan Ferguson, admitting that the Irishman has the potential to become a truly elite striker in the years ahead. He has also managed him well, limiting his playing time when required and not asking too much of the teenager.
In saying that, he is also not afraid to give him some tough love at times.
Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, De Zerbi admitted that Ferguson's form has not been up to scratch in recent times, but he will do everything he can to help him improve over the coming weeks and months.
For the young player you can expect a different type of performance. There is a time when they play very well, they score, but in different moments they can suffer [from] the level of competition.
In the last two months Evan suffered, from injury and other things, he can play better.
The level of Evan is higher than the level he is playing at in this moment, we have to help him but he has to help himself first of all, to understand better the play, he's very young, he is like my son and I try everything to help him become a great player for sure.
In many ways, these comments show why Roberto De Zerbi is the perfect manager for Evan Ferguson to have at this point in his career.
Not only does the Italian have a proven track record in improving players, but he also knows exactly how much to ask of a young footballer during the early stages of their career. While it may be tempting to play them as much as possible, he will not do so if it could adversely affect their development further down the lines.
As well as that, he is not afraid to let them know what he expects of them, even if that means admitting they have not been playing well enough.
His career may only be getting going, but you could not really imagine a better place for Evan Ferguson to be in at the minute.
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