England Under-20 manager Aidy Boothroyd has advised Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe to ignore those that are suggesting he could be a ready-made replacement for Raheem Sterling if the latter leaves Anfield this summer.
Sterling appears set to depart the club after his agent Aidy Ward revealed that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract on Merseyside.
Boothroyd, who selected Ibe for the England Under-20 squad that will take part in the Toulon Tournament later this month, has urged the youngster to focus on his own game and ignore the hype.
“That puts a little bit more pressure on Jordon. That’s the thing about the modern-day game — we are always speculating,” he told Press Association Sport.
“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 has turned out 13 times for the Reds this season after being recalled from a loan spell at Derby County in January, and recently signed a new five-year deal at the club.
Boothroyd continued: “I saw him a few times at Derby and he did very very well. He has managed to break into Liverpool’s team in a position where you wouldn’t say it would be his favourite. But he has done exceptionally well and managed to earn himself a new deal.”
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