Swansea manager Michael Laudrup believes Ben Davies has the attributes to become a top Premier League centre-half.
Left-back Davies, 19, has excelled for the Swans since being thrust into the first team when Neil Taylor suffered a broken ankle back in September.
He has gone on to make 43 appearances for club and country.
Davies impressive adaptation to Premier League football would make him a deserving nominee for the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year award.
While making his name at left-back, Davies previously featured in the centre of defence for age-grade sides with Swansea and Wales, and Laudrup believes that’s where his long-term future lies.
“I don’t see him as being someone like Gareth Bale (who went from playing left-back to left wing),” he said.
“But if you see him now he is much stronger – although maybe in some minds over here he lacks some height – and I think in time he can be a good left-footed centre-back.
“He is getting stronger in the air, physically as well, and left-footed centre-backs are difficult to find, look how many sides play with two right-footed centre-backs.”
Taylor is getting closer to his first-team return after his horrific ankle injury, and Laudrup plans to give him an appearance before the end of the season.
But for next season he will consider Taylor and Davies as his two left-back options, despite their ability to play other positions.
Taylor, in particular, impressed at right-back when playing for Team GB at last summer’s Olympics.