Even during the Coronavirus stoppage and lockdown, there is praise for Chelsea’s 18-year-old midfielder Billy Gilmour. West Ham United manager and fellow Scot David Moyes told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, “He’s looked like a seasoned pro. He’s looked like somebody who’s hungry, who’s in love with the game.” The former Manchester United and Everton manager didn’t stop there either.
West Ham United’s David Moyes Latest To Praise Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour
Moyes’ Praise For Gilmour
Gilmour, who turns 19 next month, made his Chelsea first-team debut this season. And at the beginning of March, he wowed everyone with back to back Man Of The Match performances against Liverpool in the FA Cup and then Everton in the Premier League.
And people took notice, including Moyes. “The one [Scottish player] who if I could sign tomorrow I would is Billy Gilmour after his opening performances for Chelsea,” said Moyes.
He continued with Gilmour’s potential place and impact with the Scotland National team as well. “We need to start getting a Scottish national team that gives us some hope but he’s certainly a really talented looking player.”
Moyes doesn’t seem to be paying lip service to Gilmour either. He also said, “I was laughing because I keep getting told that Chelsea want Declan Rice. So I thought, ‘well I might just decide I want Billy Gilmour and see how it goes.'”
It’s one thing to make a complimentary statement. It’s a completely different thing to put your money where your mouth is as Moyes did, hinting at a possible swap between the Hammers and Blues for Rice and Gilmour.
However likely or unlikely that swap is to happen, Moyes certainly will think he’s getting a good deal.
Gilmour’s Meteoric Rise Continues
Moyes is far from the first person to heap praise on the young Scot in the past few months. His own manager, Frank Lampard, looking back on it admitted Gilmour should’ve started sooner. Roy Keane put on the first half-smile of his life to commend the 18-year-old. And now Moyes as well.
Gilmour had impressed enough with the Blues to earn his first call up to the Scotland National Team for Euro 2020 playoff qualifiers this past March. However, the Coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of those games meaning Gilmour missed out.
Certainly, though, as the plaudits keep coming his way, he’ll earn his first cap. It’s just a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ at this point.
It may have only been a few games, but Chelsea may not need or want to continue their search for a deep-lying central midfielder with Gilmour waiting in line. Maybe they won’t go after Rice despite all the transfer rumours.
Without playing a minute over the past almost two months, Gilmour’s stock continues to rise at both Chelsea and for Scotland.
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