Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has told Scotland wonderkid Billy Gilmour to “hang in there” at Norwich as the midfielder struggles to force his way into the side at the Canaries.
Gilmour joined Daniel Farke’s side on a season-long loan after impressing at Euro 2020 for Scotland but hasn’t played since the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool back in September and has been an unused sub in four of Norwich’s last five league matches.
Billy Gilmour in action for Scotland (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Tuchel spoke with his Norwich counterpart when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge and, while Tuchel admits “it’s not the moment” to end Gilmour’s loan early, he stopped short of saying it wouldn’t be ended in January.
“In general, I spoke with Daniel [Farke] about it and I was happy to meet Billy around the Norwich match at Stamford Bridge,” Tuchel said.
“It was clear when we spoke about it that he wants more minutes and more game time at another club.
“The challenge was clear that he needs to fight his way through and this is where he is right now.
“Things are not going as he maybe wishes, or as we all wish for, but it’s not the moment now to already give solutions and cancel the whole project.
“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive when the situation seems to be stuck or is not going the right way.
“You have to hang in there, you have to show your quality and make sure you help your team, no matter where it is.
“That sharpens your character and it will be a big chapter in your career and that’s the same with Billy.
“For me right now it’s not the moment to give solutions for January and open talks to bring him back.
“Now it is November, there are some months to go and a lot of time to prove he has enough quality to help Norwich be a better team.”
Scotland star needs consistent minutes at club level
Sending Gilmour to Norwich never seemed a good fit with the Canaries always likely to be at the bottom of the table and scrapping for points in their survival bid.
That was never going to provide Gilmour with the sort of environment that would allow him to really thrive and kick on his development as he aims to become one of the world’s elite players.
It seems certain he’ll be recalled in January and sent back out on loan elsewhere – but Chelsea need to make sure they get it right this time when picking where Gilmour goes.
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