MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 00:15:45| >> :120:4348:4348:

Billy Gilmour 'could leave Chelsea on loan'

Billy Gilmour 'could leave Chelsea on loan'
© Reuters
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were paired in midfield for Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge.

Billy Gilmour could seek a last-minute loan move away from Chelsea this month after Thomas Tuchel's arrival, the PA news agency understands.

The Scotland Under-21 star impressed every time he was elevated to Chelsea's first team under Frank Lampard, but could now find his short-term chances limited.

Teen star Gilmour still wants to break into Scotland's senior squad in time for the summer's Euros, and will need regular football to advance his selection claims.

Bristol Rovers v Chelsea U21 – Papa John's Trophy – Southern Group D – Memorial Stadium
Billy Gilmour, pictured, is unlikely to feature regularly in the short-term under new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel (David Davies/PA)

Tuchel laid bare his tactical blueprint for dominating possession in Wednesday's goalless Premier League draw with Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

The German coach paired Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in deep midfield, confirming expectations about his set-up by deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Tuchel had tracked Italy midfielder Jorginho in previous managerial roles, and now has the chance to work with the former Napoli man.

Croatia midfielder Kovacic is another senior Chelsea star to fit Tuchel's mould and appears set for regular action.

Throw France's World Cup-winning midfielder N'Golo Kante into the mix as well, and Gilmour's immediate selection chances appear slim.

Chelsea know full well 19-year-old Gilmour's rich potential and want him to realise that at Stamford Bridge, but the remainder of the season is unlikely to yield many first team openings.

Tuchel could not hide his delight at the opportunity to work with Kante, who has endured another season so far besieged by hamstring problems.

"I wanted many years to have N'Golo Kante in my team and now I have him here," said Tuchel.

Chelsea's 47-year-old new boss swept into Stamford Bridge on Tuesday determined to maintain a positive demeanour and build confidence through the west London ranks.

And the former Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss insists he will not need much time to hit the ground running.

"That's the funny thing about joining in the middle of the season – I already know the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Toni Rudiger, and I know Olivier Giroud well too," said Tuchel.

"I have been following the Premier League for many years, both in Dortmund and Paris, so I have a clear picture of what the guys are capable of.

"To find a guy like (Cesar) Azpilicueta in your office is simply amazing, because in the end I am also a football fan."

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo made no bones about sending out his struggling side explicitly to nullify the hosts.

Nuno's side continue to seek a first league win since the 2-1 victory over Chelsea on December 15, and the Portuguese manager was delighted with a clean sheet.

"The clean sheet is something we haven't had for a while, so it's always important – everything starts from that.

"So it's a refocus for us now, on how we do things, how we focus and the boys did very well.

"So that's a good start for us, for everything."

ID:432517: cacheID:432517:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7190:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Raith Rovers want Inverness game postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
8Aston Villa2110563132-135
9Fulham228953430433
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!