Steve Clarke gives his verdict on Billy Gilmour leaving Chelsea for Brighton & Hove Albion
Billy Gilmour joined Brighton & Hove Albion this summer after five years at Chelsea. But he is now in a very awkward situation.
The midfielder left the Blues to join the Seagulls after being convinced by then manager Graham Potter. But only a few days later, Potter left and became Chelsea’s head coach after Thomas Tuchel was sacked.
Now, Scotland national team coach Steve Clarke has given his verdict on the transfer of the midfielder. In an interview published in the Glasgow Live, the midfielder’s national team coach says the player is unlucky.
“He’s not very lucky, Billy, is he? He has got everything to play for at Brighton. They are going to appoint a new manager, it’ll be down to Billy. His performances in training and in matches will dictate whether he gets picked to play for Brighton.”
Gilmour joined the Blues from Rangers’ academy in 2017. After making his way through the academy system, the midfielder was finally promoted to the senior team in 2020. But he struggled to cement his place.
He spent the last season on loan at Norwich City which was a disaster. The 21-year-old made 24 league appearances for the Canaries and only managed to get one assist in the process. He came under huge criticism for his performances, while his team was relegated.
The player was included in the Chelsea pre-season squad at first but was later sent to train with the Under-21 side. It became clear he was not part of the plan for this season and the midfielder chose to ply his trade elsewhere.
Clarke is not wrong in his assessment. If Gilmour can perform in training, then whoever is the manager will select him. It is up to the player now to make a place for himself in the Brighton team, something which he could not do at the west London club.
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A player with huge potential in him, the 21-year-old has the chance to be one of the best. Despite not being able to make a name for himself at Chelsea, one never knows what will happen in the future. If he can make it elsewhere, the Blues could bring him back to the club someday.
