Gilmour has impressed each time he has featured for Chelsea (Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato (h/t Mirror), Juventus are said to be interested in Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour. The Italian giants could attempt to sign him as early as January but they have been keeping tabs on him ever since he broke into Chelsea’s first-team. It has also been said that talks have already begun between intermediaries.
Billy Gilmour started his footballing education at Rangers in Scotland and caught the eye with his impressive progress. However, he never made a first-team appearance for the Gers and was snapped up by Chelsea as an exciting prospect in the summer of 2017.
The teenager initially made his mark for the Blues at the U-18 level, scoring 7 goals and registering 2 assists in 17 appearances in the U-18 PL during the 2017-18 campaign. Gilmour also featured in the UEFA Youth League in his first season at Chelsea before being promoted to the U-23 side for the 2018-19 campaign. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Gilmour bagged 5 goals and 4 assists in 19 appearances in the Premier League 2 Division 1 during the 2018-19 season, prompting Frank Lampard to integrate the Scottish starlet in his first-team plans. (h/t Transfermarkt)
He was handed his Premier League debut substitute against Sheffield United in August last year and has gone on to make another 11 appearances across all competitions. Gilmour is a part of Scotland’s U-21 side making 13 appearances to date.
Even two or three years ago it was a rare sight to see Chelsea’s academy players cracking their way into the first team. It all changed as they were faced with a transfer ban and Frank Lampard introduced a number of youngsters from the academy. One of them was Billy Gilmour.
The Scot instantly endeared himself to the fans with his showings last season, especially in an FA Cup game against Liverpool. Despite his relatively young age and inexperience, he was able to boss a Liverpool midfield that included the likes of Fabinho.
His progression, though, was briefly halted due to a long-term knee injury. However, the youngster is now back to full fitness and working his way back into Lampard’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Juve’s interest in the starlet, Chelsea simply cannot afford to let Gilmour go. Yes, the club is stocked with players in every position after a summer spending spree but they really need to keep a hold of Gilmour. He is one of the most talented players to come out of the academy in recent years and looks like he can be one that is a mainstay of the team in the years to come.
