Five clubs that could really use Chelsea starlet Gilmour in January
Billy Gilmour might have emerged as a star of the future at Chelsea last season, but he is finding life difficult on loan at Norwich.
The Scotland midfielder had hoped to light things up at Carrow Road after some fine displays for the Blues last term, followed by a strong showing for Scotland against England at Euro 2020.
Gilmour has found himself frozen out of the starting XI since 21 September, but while this situation is clearly not ideal, and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has suggested the plug could be pulled on the deal in January.
Related articles
“We will take the decision in January when the decision has to be made, but not now,” Tuchel said.
He did add, though, that it could be a useful test of character for the youngster.
“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive where the situation seems to be stuck or things don’t go the right way,” he said.
“You have to hang in there, you have to show your quality and help your team, no matter where it is. That sharpens your character and that will be a big chapter in your career, it is the same for Billy."
Nevertheless, the possibility remains that Gilmour will be heading back to Chelsea in January, from where he would likely be loaned out once more.
But where could he go?
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund are growing accustomed to nurturing young British players, Jude Bellingham thriving in Germany and Jadon Sancho having done so in the past.
Furthermore, they have done successful loan business with Chelsea in the past, having signed Michy Batshuayi on loan in 2018.
And the club might just be the perfect place to kickstart the young Scot's club career.
Gilmour has been a standout for his country since the start of the season, creating chances, breaking up play and making tackles.
Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga and are having another fine start to their campaign.
But it is the second half of the season that Dortmund usually come unstuck and perhaps the chance of fresh legs in January would sell this move to the German club.
Injuries to the likes of Emre Can, Mahmoud Dahoud and Giovanni Reyna have them currently looking for a backup and if given the chance, Gilmour could thrive in that league.
Imagine Gilmour sliding through balls to the prolific Eriing Haaland...
Barcelona
It may sound a little far-fetched but Barcelona are in dire need of a shake-up.
With club legend Xavi hotly tipped as being the man to replace Ronald Koeman, it does not change the fact that Barca do not have money to spend in January.
The club are investing in youth moving forward, with the likes of Gavi and Pedri considered the future of the Catalan giants.
But when one or the other gets injured, as Pedri is right now, the squad looks threadbare.
A move to a team that has most of the possession and requires someone with the talent to unlock deep-lying defences may be the perfect combination, and Gilmour could fill that vacancy.
Chelsea would welcome the chance to offload the midfielder to such a big club and one that doesn't hold out much threat to their Champions League hopes.
But Gilmour needs minutes and it may be a case of becoming a similar scenario to the one currently experienced at Norwich.
Tottenham Hotspur
Another club with a new manager inbound and another club that seriously needs a fresh approach.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been relieved of his duties and Antonio Conte will soon be in the Spurs dugout.
𝗡𝗼 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿 = 𝗡𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆.
Billy Gilmour hasn’t played a game for Norwich for 𝟰𝟯 days now… 😭 pic.twitter.com/iVXY9JsfXn— Gilmour.Fanpage (@gilmour_Fanpage) October 31, 2021
Gilmour has struggled at Norwich because of the players around him and a step up in quality may bring out the best in him.
Harry Kane has struggled to get into goalscoring positions this season, finding himself on the wing and coming deep to receive the ball.
A player like Gilmour, who can take the ball from the goalkeeper and then recycle it forward, is exactly what Spurs are missing.
This would then free Kane to stay as the furthest man forward and latch on to Gilmour's passes.
Conte will know Gilmour from his Chelsea days when the Scot was just an up and coming kid.
Newcastle United
Big things are happening at Newcastle after the recent takeover by Saudi Arabia backed PIF.
The club is now the richest football team in the world and over the next decade will see a lot of change.
But before that, they must achieve the little matter of staying in the Premier League, with the club currently sitting in the bottom three.
This might be the move that would make the most sense for Gilmour and Chelsea.
The club will have to spend in January to ensure they retain their Premier League status and Gilmour could be the man to be the short-term fix for them.
If he was to succeed on loan there, an option to buy might be on the table if Chelsea decide to cash in and it could see Gilmour at the heart of a Newcastle side on the up over the peak years of his career.
Juventus
The Old Lady are sitting 16 points behind Serie A leaders Napoli and Milan and returning boss Massimiliano Allegri is under pressure.
Recent defeats to Sassuolo and Verona mean they have already lost four games this season.
Welsh star Aaron Ramsey seems to be falling ever further out of favour, with reports linking him with a return to England in January.
That could open up the path for Billy Gilmour to step in and prove his worth in a league that has recently seen Scottish players excel. Aaron Hickey at Bologna and Liam Henderson at Emploi have both impressed of late.
Gilmour is clearly well ahead of the pair in terms of international chances and his box-to-box style may propel Juventus on to a stellar second half of the campaign.
Read more about: Serie A, Bundesliga, Premier League, Barcelona, Chelsea, Dortmund, Juventus, Newcastle Utd., Tottenham, Billy Gilmour
