Behind Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi it seems Billy Gilmour has become the next jewel of Chelsea’s academy. Following a move from Rangers in July 2017, how is the youngster faring South of the border?
The 17-year-old, who plays as a midfielder has been tipped for big things at Stamford Bridge, drawing comparisons to the experienced Cesc Fabregas.
Scoring on his debut against Arsenal U18s, the midfielder went from strength to strength and signed a long-term deal with the club in July 2018.
This season the youngster has scored two and assisted three in only eight games, making him one of the most highly touted youngsters on British soil.
A ‘Rolls Royce’ of a centre-midfielder, the youngster feels very much like a foreign prospect for the Blues, despite his Scottish heritage. The 5′ 6” pass master has the technique to match his Spanish mentor while still having the grit, fight and doggedness associated with the Scottish.
One of the most promising aspects of Gilmour’s overall game is his mental strength, he has often spoken of his ambition to reach to the very top.
If someone is better than me, I want to be better than them. I’ve always had a winning mentality and I hate losing, so when I see someone doing better, I need to match them.
The sheer fight from the boy North of the Border must fill avid Blues fans with a huge amount of confidence for his future. However, at least in the short term, it lies away from Stamford Bridge.
Speaking about Chelsea’s loan system, as reported by the Daily Record, he explained why a loan move could be good for his development.
You see all the Chelsea boys going out on loan and how much it’s benefiting them. In that England team against us, the two centre-halves — Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori — are out at Vitesse Arnhem and Derby just now. Mason Mount is another at Derby who’s just been called into the full England squad. Tammy is the same at Aston Villa.
They’re all going out and doing their thing, whether it’s scoring goals or keeping clean sheets, and it is working for them.
Last year I played Under-18s to settle in mostly. Now I have moved up to the 23s and I’m trying to kick on from there. I’ll take it bit by bit. It’s a different level, quicker and more attacking, but at the same time tactical. It suits me, though. I’ve said all along that is where I want to be — it’s been my dream and I’m enjoying it.
Should he, like many Blues youngsters, head out on loan, a return to Rangers could be an option for the player, where he would be working under the legendary figure of Steven Gerrard who is currently at the helm of the Scottish side.
