Billy Gilmour closes in on Norwich City move, who replaces him in the Chelsea squad?
The Blues have been linked to new midfielders, but there are some current players after the spot as well
Billy Gilmour is close to joining Norwich City on a season-long loan deal, according to Sky Sports.
The Scottish international has agreed to join the Canaries and will undergo a medical later this week when his quarantine ends after testing positive for Covid-19.
Personally, I am all for this move. Whilst I agree with many and think Gilmour could stay at Chelsea this season and he is more than good enough to seriously challenge the current crop, realistically looking at it a loan move is the best way forward.
Gilmour isn’t going to get lots of game time let’s be frank here, with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, and Jorginho all ahead of him in the pecking order and all in good form, the time is not quite right for Gilmour to dislodge any of them.
Going to play at Norwich under a manager with a similar philosophy as Thomas Tuchel, in a similar system, in a team who like to try and play and keep the ball, will be hugely beneficial for him.
Gilmour has never had a loan move, and just look at what this has done for players like Mason Mount and Reece James. Going to get regular game time will be the best move for him now to develop even more and become the full complete player. He will become world class, I have no doubt.
This opens up a new spot in the squad for Chelsea, with four midfielders needed for the season. So who comes in?
Chelsea are still keen on signing Declan Rice, who Tuchel is also a fan of. This deal will prove tough to get done again though, unless Rice asks for a move, or unless Chelsea decide to sort a deal involving Tammy Abraham going the other way.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Boubacar Kamara are two other targets Chelsea are looking at that I am aware of, and there will be more.
Saul Niguez also of Atletico Madrid is one to keep a close eye on, we've heard strong whispers that Chelsea could pursue a move for the 26-year old Spanish international this summer.
However, there is also growing talk that the spot could be given to a returning loanee, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher the two players heading that potential race, and even Ethan Ampadu an option.
Both Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher want to stay at Chelsea this season and prove themselves, but they won’t be alone here.
Both players will re-join Chelsea for pre-season from July the 5th and have a chance to impress Tuchel who wants to take a look at all his returning loan players, including the likes of Tieumoue Bakayoko.
It will be interesting to see how this unfolds…
Simon Phillips