Saints manager Russell Martin believes teenager Tyler Dibling can learn a lot from senior pro and fellow academy graduate Adam Lallana.
Dibling, 18, was only four months old when former England international Lallana, 36, made his Southampton debut back in 2006.
Matin feels senior players have a duty to help youngsters but admitted he has been in dressing rooms where that is not the case.
He praised Dibling’s talent, suggesting he possesses abilities that not many other players have – before adding he still has a lot to learn.
The boss is confident Lallana is willing to impart the knowledge he has gathered to Dibling during the early stages of his high-potential career.
Martin told the Daily Echo: “It can only benefit Tyler – but only if he’s willing to learn and be receptive to Adam, which he is.
“Fortunately for us, all the young guys are. They are brilliant. We are fortunate to have Adam and we will use him in the best way we can, on and off the pitch.
“When you look back at your own career, there are always people who are an important part of your journey. At the time, you might not recognise it.
“When I was a young player at Wycombe, guys like Keith Ryan and Tommy Mooney were seasoned professionals.
“Being around guys like that who were really good with the young guys – players like that are really important because of the way they treat you.
“I tried to help you players as much as I could as a senior pro. I think when you’ve lived it, you have a duty to look after young players.
“I’ve also been in dressing rooms where the experienced guys don’t want to help the younger guys because they are struggling to come to terms with their career coming to an end.
“That’s never a good place to be in. With Adam, it’s not like that. He wants to make the most of every bit of his career. He wants to help as many people as he can.”
Lallana has told Dibling he is available at any time to guide him as he adjusts to senior level under the Premier League spotlight.
Martin continued: “What Tyler needs to do is have a look at the career that Adam has had and the person he is. When it’s in front of you like that, it’s simple.
“We believe that Tyler possesses a level of talent that not many people do. It’s up to Tyler where he ends up. It’s up to him how much he plays this season.
“It’s not up to me. It’s up to his attitude and how much he wants to learn. There’s a lot more to come from him. He has a lot to learn but he’s getting better and better.
“All we are aiming for as a group is to get better. For him as an individual player, he needs to give it everything that he has got.”
