Tuchel rules out a recall for Gilmour

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel last night insisted he has no plans to recall Billy Gilmour — as he challenged the Scotland international to fight for his place at Norwich City.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a strong start to his loan spell at Carrow Road but has dropped out of the team.

‘We are not here to develop players for other clubs,’ Canaries boss Daniel Farke said after the 3-0 home Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool on September 21.

Gilmour (right) has not played for Norwich since, with the midfielder an unused substitute in English Premier

League matches away to Everton and Burnley and at home against Brighton.

That has led to speculation that the precocious talent, who consistently excels for Steve Clarke’s Scotland, could be recalled to Stamford Bridge.

But Tuchel wants Gilmour to use the experience to become stronger as a player and a person.

The Chelsea boss said: ‘Now is not the time to speak about Billy coming back. It’s time to fight for his place and show what he can do.

‘We love Billy and we are aware of what he can do.

‘Changing a club is always a risk and is always a huge step, but it can be seen as a positive that he needs to overcome adversity. We trust him that he can play a role — and, of course, nobody is obliged to play our players — but no coach in the world will leave the best players out.

‘That’s what he needs to prove; that Norwich is a better team with him.

‘I trust that he can do it and hopefully he does not lose trust in himself and he can turn things around.’

Gilmour was part of Chelsea’s Champions Leaguewinning squad in May and the following month he was named man of the match as Scotland drew 0-0 with England at Wembley at Euro 2020.

But he opted to go out on loan this season to get regular firstteam game time — and Tuchel insists that was the right move. He said: ‘I love Billy and I have always loved him. ‘He decided to go to have a chance to get some minutes. We thought “yes” that was important. ‘First of all, I want him to perform. ‘It’s more or less the same question whether he makes it into our team. It is based on pure performance. ‘If you go on loan, it is as simple as that. ‘I don’t mean it harshly, but you need to perform to be on the pitch and you need to be the top player no matter where you go to make it back here and improve your status as a Chelsea player.’