Paul Merson says he has always rated Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic very highly, but he has issued a warning to fans to not get carried away about the player’s form after his hat-trick at the weekend.

The TV pundit thinks it could be six or seven years before we see the best of the American international, even though he has already been performing well for the Blues:

“I’ve always been a big fan of his. I think he’s a top player, but he’s only a kid. He’s 21 and you’re not going to hit your best football until you’re 27 or 28, I wouldn’t have thought.”

Pulisic’s perfect hat-trick against Burnley at the weekend certainly showed off the talent that the 21-year-old possesses. As well as a superb finish on his left for the opener at Turf Moor, he also managed to score with a perfectly executed header for his third.

Of course, after spending £58m on a player, you do expect a level of performance straight away, but as Merson points out, this signing is certainly one with the future in mind, and his potential should really excite supporters.