Derby County coach Liam Rosenior has revealed that Max Bird's emergence in the first team over the last few months was carefully planned ahead of time by the Rams coaching staff.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a key man in Phillip Cocu's starting XI since the start of the year, starting 12 of their last 13 Championship games.
A product of the Derby academy, Bird made his debut back in 2017 but is enjoying by far his most impactful season in the senior squad.
It didn't start with a flourish, however, and things could have been different for the midfielder after a poor showing in an EFL Cup game back in August.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosenior revealed that Bird has been carefully managed since then and that his emergence in the first team is no accident, rather it is something that was planned and predicted.
He explained: "He had a really really difficult time at the start of the season. He got taken off at halftime against Scunthorpe. What we did as a coaching staff is sat down and discussed how we can give him that time to find himself and not pressure on him. Then gradually put him back into the first-team picture.
"Every single thing that was discussed in terms of Max's development has come true. At the time he was out of the squad, he was playing in the U23s, but we always had it in mind that he would be back in the first team."
Bird's impressive performances appear to have caught the attention of Chelsea and former Rams boss Frank Lampard as it has been reported that they're preparing to swoop for him in the summer.
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The Verdict
Bird has been fantastic for Derby this season and looks like a really exciting prospect.
You have to credit the East Midlands club for the way they have managed the 19-year-old, particularly after his poor performance earlier on in the campaign.
They're now benefiting from the measured approach they have taken with the midfielder.
With the likes of Louie Sibley, Jason Knight, and Jayden Bogle also coming through, there is a lot to be positive about for Derby fans at the moment.