Blues boss predicts big things from Billy the kid

FRANK Lampard expects fit-again Billy Gilmour to compete for first-team action on an equal footing with Chelsea’s big-gun midfielders.

The teenage Scottish talent made a hugely impressive senior Stamford Bridge breakthrough last term, featuring 11 times in all competitions.

The 19-year-old’s campaign was cut short by knee injury in July, however, and the former Rangers youth star has only just returned to full fitness.

Chelsea boss Lampard has confirmed Gilmour will travel to Spain for tonight’s Champions League clash with Sevilla and tipped the technically-gifted playmaker to pick up just where he left off before his knee problem.

“He’s fit now, Billy, he could probably do with some more match minutes, which are hard to get in Covid times, but he’s doing very well,” Lampard said.

“It will be nice if he can get some minutes, particularly over these two Champions League games, in the remainder of the group stage.

“And where do I see him? I see him hopefully coming back at the level he was at just before he got injured.

“He made a great impact and there will be so much more to come from him this time, because of the talent he has.

“He’s got a great attitude, he trains brilliantly and he’s looking spot-on.

“So, he comes in just to compete in the squad with the other players in that midfield area.”

Chelsea have already secured qualification for the Champions League’s last 16, courtesy of four straight victories in Group E.

The Blues will now battle it out with Sevilla for the top spot, however, which would, in theory, lead to an easier knockout tie.

Chelsea’s hectic schedule leaves Lampard little choice but to rotate his resources for tonight’s match, but the Blues boss admitted he has plenty of players itching for a chance to impress.

“We’re fully fit and ready to go,” said Lampard.

“I’ll have to give players a chance and for different reasons.

“Some players have been playing a lot, we’ve been talking about the hectic schedule.

“It is hectic but we can’t say that on the one hand and then maybe not look at rotation for this game.

“And on the other side of that players who haven’t played as regularly have been training really, really well and part of the group and important to us.

“So, some are just knocking on the door and deserve opportunities.

“So, we’re not taking the game lightly, even though we’ve qualified, we want to top the group.

“We want to win the group for different reasons, obviously your pathway through would be the beneficial position.

“So, we have to remain consistent in our approach.”