Billy Gilmour is close to departing Chelsea on loan to Norwich City
The transfer window officially began a little more than two weeks ago and Chelsea has been relatively quiet. The Blues offloaded a few players here and re-signed some individuals there. There has been nothing concrete as it relates to major transfers or loan moves—until now. Billy Gilmour is set to become the first domino to fall on the first team front as he lines up a loan move for the upcoming campaign.
There were many questions about what the near future would hold for the young Scot. It seems every Blues fan has a different opinion on what the club should do with Gilmour next season. However, as his international side bows out of Euro 2020—the only one of 17 Chelsea players to not advance to the knockout stages—the youngster’s calendar is freed up for medicals and contract talks. Gilmour is scheduled to undergo necessary tests when he is out of quarantine next week as he prepares to move to Norwich City on a one-year loan.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
It’s easy to criticize the move at first though. After all, Blues supporters had to watch in horror last season as Ethan Ampadu, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek excelled, but were ultimately unable to keep their temporary teams in the Premier League. The Chelsea loanees were weighed down by the lack of talent surrounding them in the relegated sides and that’s the concern with Gilmour going to Norwich. This fear becomes more real considering the Canaries finished bottom of the top flight table (13 points off the 19th spot) just two seasons ago with largely the same coaching staff and core.
A Norwich City loan is the perfect move for Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour’s arrival doesn’t instantly lift Norwich out of a potential relegation battle, but in the grand scheme of things, Chelsea fans couldn’t care less about the Canaries’ fate. The focus is on the Scottish Iniesta. Norwich is the perfect loan destination for the 20-year-old for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, Gilmour will get playing time. This has been hard to come by for one reason or another across his time in senior football. Frank Lampard gave Gilmour his proper introduction to first team football, and he impressed before being sidelined with an injury for a few months following. Thomas Tuchel took over shortly after “Billy Balboa” recovered, but was unable to play him due to the intense pressure that came with each match. Tottenham’s Oliver Skipp—who played in 47 games for Norwich last season—is unlikely to return to the club, so his exit frees up a starting spot for Gilmour.
While playing time is something many clubs in the Premier League could offer Gilmour, the next positive to his upcoming move is a promise others could not fulfill. Norwich is managed by Daniel Farke, who was the Borussia Dortmund II head man during Tuchel’s stint with the German club. The compatriots simply have a relationship and knowledge of one another’s tactics that cannot be built overnight. Farke’s Canaries play dual sixes in a midfield pivot, similar to that of Tuchel’s Blues. Placing Gilmour in the middle of the park for Norwich regularly will help him develop the necessary skills to deputize Chelsea from the same spot down the line. The Ardrossan native is widely considered the Blues’ best young talent and getting the experience he needs—especially in the correct position—is necessary to taking his game up a notch.
The one worry, as it relates to Farke, is his future in Norwich. He was around during the Canaries’ relegation in 2020 and his side is prepping for another tough task ahead. There is one redeeming quality about Norwich and that’s the ownership’s faith in the German. However, if he somehow finds himself on the hot seat, the Blues reserve the right to recall Gilmour. This move undoubtedly has its skeptics. Overall though, it’s a low risk, high reward move for both the player and parent club.
Next. Adama Traore is a legitimate wingback target for Chelsea. dark
What do you make of Gilmour’s reported move? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!