Jack Grealish has been given a stark warning about the perils of “temptation” off the field as an England and Premier League star.
Britain's most expensive £100million man grew up an Aston Villa fan who admired fellow attacking midfielder Lee Hendrie.
But talented Hendrie won just one England cap in 1998 as he found the lure of nightclubs and partying irresistible.
It led to divorce, a car crash, bankruptcy and Hendrie even attempted suicide before establishing himself as a respected pundit since retiring in 2014.
Birmingham-based Hendrie, 44, has since followed Grealish's career closely and is in touch with the Manchester City superstar,25, who is no stranger to a night out himself and was last year banned from driving over two offences.
But Hendrie believes moving to a bigger club under coach Pep Guardiola will further help Grealish's professionalism and enable him to fulfil his huge potential and be among the world's elite.
Hendrie assessed to the Mirror: “He has a big road to go down.
“I have been there myself.
“Jack , and I do say this when I have spoken to him, has to be careful what he does and where he goes.
“He has bags of talent but temptation is always there and we have seen that with Jack.
“Is he going to go down that road again?
“I would be very surprised because Pep will certainly rein him in and he will have to dedicate himself.
“Now he is amongst the elite.
“He is around people who are world-class players and he will learn off them.
“Otherwise it is a slippery slope he could end up on.
“If I was at Manchester United or Liverpool back in the day , one of the biggest clubs, would it have been different for me?
“Maybe, I would like to change the way I was.
“Comparing my era to now, you can't do anything now.
“There are mobile phones , cameras and everything that goes on.
“But I think going to Man City, Pep will get him by the scruff of his neck and tell him to get his head down and become one of the world's best.
“Unfortunately it means you can't go out regularly and be that party boy.
“You have to be dedicated to put that Man City and England shirt on and be the best.
“If he dedicates himself, I feel he will be. I have no doubts.”
Grealish has received flak from some disappointed Villa fans for quitting within a year of penning a new five-year contract.
He left his boyhood club after champions City triggered a £100m release clause last month.
But Hendrie, who made 251 appearances for Villa from 1994-2007, believes Grealish was right to go.
He feels it will help cement his place as a regular starter for England under Gareth Southgate ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Poland.
Hendrie added: “Jack has been brilliant for Aston Villa.
“To get £100m for an academy graduate is a hell of a lot of money.
“Jack is well worthy of it.
“I think he will go on to be an extra special player.
“It is a good move for Jack to go and try to be up there with the best players in the world.
“He has gone to a club pushing for the title and Champions League.
“He is going to be there on the world stage where I think he belongs and at the moment Villa can't offer that.
“Now he appears to be straight into the starting line-up for England.
“Gareth will know you don't go to a top football club for £100m and not be worthy.
“Jack brings something totally different to what England have got as he is creative and runs at defenders.”
