Two starts, two man of the match awards; Chelsea’s Gilmour gives secrets of his rise

Two starts, two wins, two man of the match awards. It has been a pretty good few days for 18-year-old Billy Gilmour. The Scot was excellent in the FA Cup win over Liverpool and was at it again at the Bridge yesterday on his full Premier League debut. Calm and composed in possession, he helped […]

Two starts, two wins, two man of the match awards. It has been a pretty good few days for 18-year-old Billy Gilmour.

The Scot was excellent in the FA Cup win over Liverpool and was at it again at the Bridge yesterday on his full Premier League debut. Calm and composed in possession, he helped set the tone for a superb Chelsea performance that yielded the club’s biggest league success of the campaign.

For the second time in five days, Gilmour showed no nerves on such a big stage, and he explained afterwards why he performs with no fear despite his tender age.

“I trust my own ability, and play with great players around me,” said Gilmour.

“They help me a lot with their movement so I can play them the ball. You need to keep it moving, keep it simple. Then when you start to settle into the game you can start hitting the longer passes and play more forward passes.

“It’s down to the gaffer as well for trusting me to play in these big games. Jody, Joe and the gaffer have been brilliant with me. I have had them [Morris and Edwards] through the youth and then to come to the first team with them has been really good for me. It’s really good for them to show trust.

“You can see that the manager will give the young players an opportunity and it’s up to us to take it when we get the chance. It’s exciting to be at Chelsea and I just want to take my opportunity when it comes.”

Gilmour has certainly done just that in the past week, and with a number of Chelsea’s midfielders injured or suspended, he will hope for more opportunities this season.

Gilmour having a party

Gilmour, while reflecting on the magnitude of his achievements, said: “It was amazing.”

“It was a dream come true to make my full Premier League debut, but most of all getting the win was just fantastic.

“I was more excited than nervous to be fair. It was tough. I just wanted to work my hardest, play well and do my best for the team.

“I’m just delighted to help the team get the win and that we came out on top. I enjoyed the game, especially off the back of a good win against Liverpool in midweek, and hopefully I can get another chance to play. I’m loving it around here at the minute, it’s brilliant.”