Tuchel appears to have called up 21-year-old Chelsea youngster to first-team training before Saints game tonight

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Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour has been spotted in training ahead of tonight’s fixture against Southampton.

According to photos surfacing from the club’s official Fifth Stand app, the 21-year-old can be seen in the background in first team training sessions.

The news comes as it appears the Scot has been pushed up in Thomas Tuchel’s plans by finally being handed a shirt number for the current season.

According to the Premier League’s website, Gilmour will occupy the number 35 for this season.

The Scotland international had not been originally given a shirt for the upcoming season, after returning to the club following an uninspiring loan spell with Norwich City.

Gilmour spotted in Chelsea training

He was alongside the likes of outcast winger Kenedy in seemingly being surplus to requirements for this season, sparking interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Everton had been particularly interested in a deal, with a potential reunion with his former Blues manager Frank Lampard for whom he undoubtedly has performed best for at Stamford Bridge.

There had even been speculation that he would be included as part of a deal for Chelsea to sign Anthony Gordon, although it appears interest in Everton’s 21-year-old has seemingly cooled at Stamford Bridge.

With Conor Gallagher’s red card at the weekend, the Blues look a bit short for numbers in midfield tonight, potentially pushing Gilmour towards a place in the squad.

Adding to the injury to N’golo Kante and questions over the fitness of Mateo Kovacic, the central midfield role is suddenly looking scarce despite being one of their strongest areas when everyone is fully fit.

If that is the case, it would be the mark of a huge turnaround this summer for the Scot, who was released from the first team’s camp in the United States during pre-season to train with the youth sides.