There have been many players over the years that undoubtedly have the talent and potential to go a long way in the game, but their attitude or application on the pitch often lets them down.
Jack Grealish certainly fits into this category, with the 21-year-old earning an unwanted party boy reputation after making headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent years.
His involvement at a party in September is the latest in a list of misdemeanours that made some question whether the midfielder is capable of growing up, with concerns that he may not fulfil his potential.
There is no question that the winger can make the most of his fledging career if he gets his head down and focuses on playing football, but in Steve Bruce he may finally have the right manager to guide him in the right direction at Aston Villa.
Bruce knows what it takes to get out of the Championship, having done so with Hull City last season before deciding to walk away after his relationship with the chairman became strained beyond repair.
At Aston Villa Bruce still has work to do before they can put themselves in contention for promotion back to the top flight, but the 55-year-old knows that in Grealish, he has a real talent on his hands.
Although he has not always been in the starting line-up under Bruce, Grealish is showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, with his wonder goal against Wigan Athletic, which secured an important 1-0 victory at Villa Park.
In what was a tight game against a side struggling at the wrong end of the table, Grealish showcased his natural ability by picking up a cleared cross and bending the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Aston Villa may need magical moments like that if their promotion odds with Betway are to improve from their level of 5/1, but they could represent good value if Grealish becomes the man that Bruce can count upon to give his team a real spark.
Bruce, speaking to BBC Sport, said: “It was a truly wonderful goal. Imagine what it must be like to score a goal like that at Villa Park at 21. I never scored a goal like that in 30 years.”
“He’s got a little sprinkle of what could make him a very good player,” Bruce added. “He has that natural talent. He always looks like he has time on the ball. But I want to try and improve him as a player. And he still has a long way to go.”
Bruce also alluded to the outside influences that may lead Grealish astray once again. “It is not easy for a 21-year-old. For any young player it is difficult, especially in the bright lights in the second city in the country.”
“All the distractions make it very difficult for any talented, young player, especially a good-looking one like him.”
Only time will tell if Grealish keeps on the straight and narrow, but it seems Bruce could get the best out of the youngster.
