BILLY THE TOUGH KID
Lampard: Don’t expect knee surgery to slow teenager down for long – he may have a baby face but he’s hard as nails
FRANK LAMPARD believes baby-faced Billy Gilmour has the mental strength to bounce back from his shock four-month lay-off.
Chelsea’s talented Scottish teenager had knee surgery yesterday morning to bring his breakthrough season with the Champions League challengers to an abrupt halt.
“Billy has had an operation on his knee and unfortunately will be out for three to four months,” said Lampard.
Gilmour, 19, has been one of the standout performers in Lampard’s Blues revolution, impressing yet again in their 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
It was in that match, however, that Gilmour picked up the injury.
“I saw it happen,” said Lampard. “Midway through the first half. It was completely accidental – as he crouched down, I saw his reaction as he got up. He had a bit of a grimace.
“It’s a tear of the meniscus in his knee... that’s as far as my expertise goes with the injury itself! But we have the best surgeon on it and he is young with an incredible attitude, health and build, so hopefully Billy will get over it as quickly as possible.
“I got him in on Thursday morning and spoke to him. He has got a tight-knit family, he is a good old Scottish lad, and he’s tough as well. So don’t be shocked or tricked by the baby face because there is a tough nature to him.”
The teen will now miss Chelsea’s remaining four games in the Premier League, as they battle Leicester and Manchester United for a top-four spot.
The Blues head to Sheffield United today with their hosts having won two of their last three to put themselves back into European contention.
But Chris Wilder’s side are now outsiders for a Champions League place after their momentum was halted by a goal incorrectly disallowed against Aston Villa last month by VAR.
United could yet pursue their case beyond the season if they miss out on European football’s elite competition.
Lampard said: “I would certainly sympathise with
their thoughts and feelings on it because I felt in on the night – didn’t we all. That decision absolutely should have gone in their favour.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of how far they can pursue it, so wouldn’t want to get on that one too much. But when you’re on the wrong end of those ones, it can stay with you.”
Christian Pulisic believes returning to his native US during the break helped him recover from a groin injury.
Since the season restarted, he has scored three goals in his five league games and the winger said: “I was training hard and able to get some work in back in the States, making sure I was
100 per cent fit and ready to go. That was the one positive thing I could do for myself.”