Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been heavily banking on youngsters this season and one of them happens to be midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour was a youth product at Glasgow Rangers who moved to Chelsea in 2017 and since then has been playing for the junior sides.
And according to the player himself, the was expected to move out on loan for the 2019-20 season.
But instead of heading out, much like his other compatriots, Billy Gilmour chose to stay back at Stamford Bridge because Frank Lampard did not want him to leave.
“In pre-season, the manager had a chat with me saying he knew I wanted to go on loan but said it would be better if I stayed,” Gilmour said.
“Obviously it’s working. He’s looking at younger players. With the transfer ban, it’s hard but it’s good experience for us. Hopefully, I can try to get more first-team games.
“He talks to you normally, tells you you’re doing well and says if I want to keep training with them I need to keep my standards up.
“I wanted to follow my dream and to play in the Premier League and choosing Chelsea has turned out to be the right move. I’m enjoying it. The plan for me was set up and I’m now ahead of the plan.
“I thought I was going to play two years at Under-18s but I played one at 18s and then moved on to the Under-23s.
“This year should be my first year at 23s but I’m one of the senior players. I am training with the first team and I have had a couple of games so I’m in a good position now.”
So far Billy Gilmour has made two senior appearances for the Blues and with the Blues fighting on all fronts, the 18-year-old will surely get more game time during the course of the season.
Unlike other seasons when the academy lads are sent out on loan, this season, the new boss has put his faith in the youngsters and so far things are panning out perfectly for the London outfit.
