MX23RW : Thursday, December 26 23:24:05| >> :60:139:139:

Ross Barkley lavishes praise on Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour

Ross Barkley lavishes praise on Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour
© Reuters
The 18-year-old was named man of the match in Tuesday's FA Cup win over Liverpool.

Ross Barkley has tipped teenage midfielder Billy Gilmour to plug Chelsea's injury gaps in Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton.

The 18-year-old Scot belied his rookie status to boss Tuesday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Premier League champions-elect Liverpool, deservedly winning the man-of-the-match award.

He mopped up in defence, threaded killer balls in attack – and even nutmegged Brazil midfielder Fabinho in a virtuoso coming-of-age performance.

Mateo Kovacic faces a nervous wait to discover the extent of an Achilles injury, while N'Golo Kante is still out with adductor trouble and Jorginho will miss the Everton match through suspension.

That could pave the way for Gilmour's full Premier League debut this weekend, and Barkley has offered a ringing endorsement of the former Rangers youth star.

Asked if Chelsea can cope with all their absentees with Gilmour primed to step up, Barkley said: "Yes, because with injuries everyone has just got to be ready to take their chance.

"It is about being ready in training, putting the extra yards in and being ready for your chance.

"Billy was ready for his chance against Liverpool and he took it.

"With injuries it gives opportunities for other lads to take and the manager is willing to put lads in, if you deserve the chance and play well you get in the team.

"We work really hard, the players that say are on the bench, we do extra work all the time so we are always ready to help the side out when we need to."

An Achilles concern for Willian could worsen the injury list for the Blues, who were also already without Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen on Tuesday.

Barkley drilled a bullet finish to cap a lightning counter-attack to seal Chelsea's fine fifth-round win at Stamford Bridge, after Willian had opened the scoring.

Liverpool's third defeat in four matches might usher in a mild sense of unease, but their 22-point Premier League lead still leaves a first top-flight title in 30 years a mere formality.

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
Ross Barkley faces former club Everton this weekend (Tess Derry/PA)

Ex-Everton star Barkley is itching to face his old side having shaken off a long-standing foot issue earlier this term, but took the time to underline still further the searing potential in youngster Gilmour.

"For me it doesn't surprise me; I see him doing it in training every day, he doesn't have a day when he is struggling," Barkley said of his team-mate.

"For a young lad he is really mature with his ability on the ball, he makes the right decision most of the time. He is similar to Jorginho. He is a quality player and a good addition to the squad.

"He recently moved into the first-team changing room with us and he's settled in really well and long may it continue. He is always asking questions as well, which is a sign of a player that wants to improve and do well for the club.

"I like him and the manager and coaching staff love him as well."

Asked to assess his own progress, Barkley added: "Yeah I am feeling good, always positive.

"I struggled with my foot for a while and since I have been free of pain I have been working hard, training well and doing what I can in games, trying to get a bit of rhythm game after game and now I am starting to feel good.

"I am feeling good and ready to end the season really well."

ID:391789: cacheID:391789:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8375:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Billy Gilmour in action for Chelsea against Liverpool on March 3, 2020
Read Next:
Frank Lampard insists he has "absolute trust" in Billy Gilmour
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Chelsea18105338211735
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
4Arsenal1796234161833
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
12Brentford177283232023
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1813141137-266


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!