Pat Nevin thinks Billy Gilmour may need to leave Brighton just a year after leaving Chelsea.
Billy Gilmour was a very popular young talent during his time at Chelsea, but he completed a £9million (Sky Sports) switch to Brighton last summer in search of more regular first-team football.
Unfortunately, the 21-year-old midfielder now finds himself in a position where he’s struggling for minutes at the Amex Stadium.
BBC pundit Nevin has suggested Gilmour’s best path may be to exit Brighton.
“It’s been a real shame so far. But you have to deal with what you’ve got in football. If one thing isn’t working, you have to move to something else,” Nevin told BBC Sport.
“That’s what Billy did by moving on from Chelsea. Sadly, he might have to do it again. The next big call he makes is massive.”
Gilmour hasn’t kicked on as expected during his debut season in Brighton colours.
Chelsea decided to sell him after a disappointing loan at Norwich City in the 2021/22 campaign.
This is a youngster who’s received some really high praise years over the years, though.
Jack Wilshere called Gilmour “unreal for his age” back in 2021. In addition, John McGinn described Gilmour as a “world-class player” in the same year.
He needs to find a place next season where he can enjoy regular first-team football because he’s still so young and needs to develop.
Levi Colwill, a Chelsea-owned defender currently playing at Brighton, is catching the eye in Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Someone like Gilmour is still trying to impress at Brighton, albeit he’s competing for a spot in a top-quality midfield.
Some may feel Chelsea jumped the gun by deciding to sell Gilmour last year, but only time will tell what kind of player he develops into.