Chelsea host Liverpool on Tuesday night in the FA Cup fifth round, which is a perfect opportunity for teenager Billy Gilmour to come into the side and really take another step forward in his career.
The 18-year-old has officially been promoted to the club’s first-team squad in 2020, but is still waiting for a serious breakthrough and is still playing some games at youth level for now.
He’s made five senior appearances so far this season across all competitions and manager Frank Lampard should spring a surprise by starting him in midweek against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the cup tie at Stamford Bridge.
Gilmour is a highly-rated talent that has blossomed at youth level with his technical ability and it looks like he’s got the composure to make the step up if given more regular opportunities.
The central midfielder is a deep-lying playmaker that is efficient in possession with his range of passing and dribbling, plus Lampard has clearly seen something in him to keep him around the main group.
He is a Scotland Under-21 international that definitely deserves more exposure and a chance against Liverpool is perfect on paper for him.
With senior star Jorginho facing a two-game Premier League suspension and a one-game ban in the Champions League in the immediate fixtures after Liverpool, Lampard is going to need more options in the centre of the park.
Gilmour could really test himself against Liverpool, who will surely have some form of experience in their team alongside potentially some youth too.
He should come into Lampard’s plans for March considering the Jorginho situation and it would be excellent to see him used.
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