Pat Nevin has explained that he expected Chelsea teenager Billy Gilmour to make a breakthrough into the first-team, but is perhaps a little surprised by the speed that he’s done it.
The 18-year-old has officially been promoted to the Blues senior squad and joined them on a permanent basis, where his job now is to try compete against some top-class players to earn minutes.
He started in the FA Cup last 16 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge, where he dazzled in the centre of the park both on the ball and off it.
The central midfielder really pulled the strings with such a mature display and he’s rightfully received widespread praise as a result.
With midfield a problem area due to injuries and suspensions going into the weekend’s league fixture with Everton, there are many who expected Gilmour to be handed his first start in the top-flight.
“He was absolutely superb – a 10 out of 10 performance [against Liverpool]. He seemed born to it,” Nevin told BBC Sport.
“I’ve been talking to a few people, including Frank, over the past couple of months about him. And they’ve just been waiting for the opportunity to give him a chance. They really believed in him.
“I expected this to happen with Billy – I’ve watched a bit of him – just not this quickly.”
Gilmour is a name that has been whispered around the Chelsea scene over the last year and it looks like he could be the latest young star to slot into Lampard’s plans, especially given his current restrictions within the squad over available midfielder.
The Scotland Under-21 international looks composed enough for more action against top level opposition and he’s one that supporters will now be closely following.
His aim has to be just to try get as many first-team minutes during the remainder of the season and continue to learn from those around him.
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