Chelsea have decided to exercise an option to extend the contract of promising 21-year-old Scottish international Billy Gilmour, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2024. The decision to extend the contract of the Chelsea midfielder seems to be to allow Blues manager Thomas Tuchel the time to fully evaluate the Scottish international.
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Chelsea Midfielder: Blues Extend Billy Gilmour’s Contract
One-Year Extension for Promising Scotland International
Billy Gilmour was already contracted – until 2023, but the club – have exercised an option to extend his contract by a further year. The highly-rated Scotland international spent last season on loan at relegated Norwich City.
Read also: What Billy Gilmour Will Offer to Newly-Promoted Norwich City
However, the 21-year-old endured a largely forgettable loan at Carrow Road. Gilmour appeared 28 times under Daniel Farke and Dean Smith – only showing glimpses of his undoubted promise.
Chelsea Career
Billy Gilmour joined Chelsea in 2017 from Scottish giants Rangers. His time at Chelsea has been stop-start, appearing 22 times. He impressed initially in the academy before forcing his way into Frank Lampard’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
He impressed on his debut against Sheffield United in August 2019 and showed his class in games against Liverpool and Everton, winning consecutive man of the match awards before the pandemic-enforced break. He later picked up an injury against Crystal Palace, which prematurely ended his season.
Following his return in December the following season, Gilmour found minutes hard to come by under new manager Thomas Tuchel. The youngster mostly appeared in cup games. Unfortunately, fierce competition for places led to the midfielder joining Norwich on loan.
International Career
Billy Gilmour has 13 caps for the Tartan Army and has been a vital component of Steve Clarke’s team. He was widely praised following his performance against England at Wembley in the Euro 2020 delayed tournament, earning man of the match. He recently started in Scotlands 3-1 loss to Ukraine in the World cup play-off semi-final.
Setbacks for Young Chelsea Midfielder
With Conor Gallagher returning to Stamford Bridge from his loan at Crystal Palace, the competition for places is only increasing for the youngster. The Covid-19 pandemic came at the worst time for him. He was riding a crest of a wave after two outstanding performances against Everton and Liverpool.
The knee injury Gilmour picked up against Crystal Palace later that season was a tough setback for the youngster. His form was keeping the experienced Jorginho on the bench. The five months he spent on the treatment table would be challenging for any youngster to take. But the sacking of Frank Lampard would have only compounded the frustration felt by Gilmour during this period.
The Future
After a frustrating loan spell at Norwich, it will be interesting to see what Chelsea’s plans are for Billy Gilmour for the 2022/23 season. Competition is fierce in the Chelsea midfield but the Scot has undoubted ability, which he has shown in his appearances for club and country.
Tuchel showed faith in Gilmour, as Lampard had previously when starting him away at Manchester City. He is a player with lots of promise and the upcoming pre-season is a critical period for him. The decision by Chelsea to extend Billy Gilmour’s contract could be the catalyst for him to show the club he has enough ability and promise to force his way into Tuchels plans like Trevoh Chalobah did the last pre-season.
