Chelsea supporters made it clear that they wanted to see Billy Gilmour in from the off against Barnsley in the FA Cup.
The Blues travel to Oakwell on Thursday evening for their first taste of knockout football under Thomas Tuchel.
Having passes his initial Premier League test with flying colours, this one of match provides an entirely different ultimatum.
It also gives Tuchel the opportunity to rotate his Chelsea squad once again and Gilmour was presented as favourable option by the fans.
Gilmour has made six senior appearances this season, only four of them starts. Two came in the previous rounds against Morecambe and Luton Town.
He began 2020/21 on the treatment table thanks to a knee injury but has since recovered and returned to first-team training.
There were doubts Gilmour would still be at Chelsea come this fixture after rumours circulated that he would be allowed to leave on loan in January (Daily Mail).
This did not come to fruition as the talented 19-year-old decided to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.
Tuchel has spoken highly of the Scottish midfielder, saying he was ‘very clever in positioning’ and a ‘very strategic guy’ (Chelsea YouTube).
Many connected to Chelsea will hope the German coach gives Gilmour a golden chance to shine.
The Chelsea Chronicle View
If Gilmour doesn’t start here, I fear we may be waiting a while until he does again.
This feels like a golden chance to give the youngster an opportunity to impress, against an opposition of a slightly lower quality than we usual face on a weekly basis.
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