Tariq Lamptey has been told he still has “a lot to do” to make the very best of his massive potential.

But Graham Potter has praised the teenager’s start to Premier League life and his desire to improve.

He is delighted Albion’s recruitment staff were aware of his promise.

Lamptey has earned high marks in four starts so far after his mid-season move from Chelsea.

He shone on debut as a second-half substitute for the Blues at Arsenal in late December but Albion’s research went far deeper than that – and is paying off.

Head coach Potter said: “We had been aware of him for a while.

“He had played in the 23s a lot and it’s the job of the guys in the recruitment department to be aware of everybody.

“You could see the qualities he had at that level and you wanted to see if he could transfer into the Premier League.

“You have to be careful with the odd substitute appearance because it can just be a small sample to make a judgement on but, when you do all the work and pull everything together, he’s a really good kid that wants to be a footballer, that wants to improve, learn and develop.

“While he’ll know he’s had a good start with us, he’s got a lot to do as well to make the most out of his career.

“We’re happy he’s here and we’ll try our best to help him.”

Potter does not necessarily see Lamptey setting a trend by leaving a top club to get more game time sooner.

He added: “I guess players want to play football and they are looking for the best way.

“If they are advised correctly, it will be about what’s the best club.

“Sometimes you can be at a club and you don’t play as much as you would like but you’re getting the right development and you feel your career is moving in the right way.

“You look at someone like Phil Foden, for example, who hasn’t played as much as people would think but he has still developed and he is still learning and still in a good place so it’s good for his career.

“Everyone has to make that decision about what the right place is, what the right environment is and of course that at some point there is a pathway to play first-team football.”