Brighton is still perfect place for Billy to bloom
GILMOUR BACKED TO SHINE WITH SEAGULLS DESPITE POTTER EXIT
APENNY for the thoughts of Billy Gilmour as news trickled through last Wednesday that Graham Potter, the man who signed him for Brighton from Chelsea five days earlier, was firmly in Stamford Bridge sights. Scotland’s great hope endured a rough 2021/22, what with his Norwich loan turning sour and culminating in inevitable relegation.
A summer exiled from Thomas Tuchel’s squad wasn’t any more encouraging for the 21-year-old.
The deadline-day £9million swoop by Potter had the look of a sublime solution for Gilmour, recruiting him to the ranks of a Brighton squad going places under its innovative young manager.
The style of football was, unlike Norwich, a surefire fit and there is commitment to giving talent in his age bracket considerable first-team exposure.
There was even the added bonus of a Scottish assistant manager in the shape of ex-Hamilton and Clyde boss Billy Reid.
Potter’s sudden exit in
Whoever comes in is going to have Billy as a part of his plans
the opposite direction obviously appears to be a particularly cruel twist for Gilmour and a potentially damaging bump in the road.
At most clubs, certainly, there would be greater cause for concern. Not at Brighton, according to former Seagulls favourite and Celtic defender Adam Virgo.
The way the club was constructed for success by poker player Tony Bloom, there’s less risk built in to managerial change.
BT Sport pundit Virgo predicts a relatively seamless transition to a new manager, one that will ensure Gilmour’s anticipated progress on the south coast barely misses a beat.
‘I’d be very surprised if Brighton pull away from the way Graham played,’ he said.
‘Whoever comes in is going to have Billy as a big part of his plans. He’ll probably have to be patient to begin with as Brighton have started the season so well.
‘I think he’ll flourish into a great player at Brighton. I see him being a big player this season — and an absolutely huge player in the seasons after. That’s when you’ll really see Billy’s qualities coming through.’
Virgo can only envisage Gilmour proving himself such a top-class Premier League performer at Brighton that a return to a ‘Big Six’ club will happen.
A successful career at the Amex proved to be a springboard for Ben White (Arsenal), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham) and Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) and a considerable boost to the Brighton transfer profits.
‘Of course, what’s just happened for Billy isn’t ideal,’ said Virgo. ‘You sign for one manager and there is no guarantee you get on with the next one.
‘But at Brighton, the manager who comes in has to work with Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and the philosophy they use to sign players.
‘Brighton don’t look for massive reputations on massive contracts. They’re a club that scouts potential, finding Cucurella for £16m, Bissouma for £15m and selling them on for a lot more.
When you look at that policy, this could be a stepping stone for Billy to get back into those top-six clubs where he’s been with Chelsea. ‘He’ll have learned a lot from being at Chelsea, playing with those players and for those managers.
‘But the move to Brighton will improve him a whole lot more. This being a permanent signing gives Billy a bit more stability.
‘I think people forget he’s still 21. Billy hasn’t gone to Manchester City like Kalvin Phillips, who could get lost in a huge squad at a club that can go out and sign another £30m midfielder. ‘Brighton are very loyal to players, they’ll all get game time because they’re always aware of replacing the ones moving on.
‘So Bissouma has been replaced by Moises Caicedo, who has himself already been linked with big clubs.
‘There will be no panic when
Caicedo then moves on maybe in another six months or a year. Billy slots in as by then he’s as good as a regular.’
Gilmour was handed a late substitute debut for Ecuadorian star Caicedo in the 5-2 drubbing of Leicester last Sunday that saw Brighton climb to fourth place.
A part, albeit tiny one, in a top-flight victory was one to savour, particularly as it was an experience enjoyed only once throughout his entire Norwich City loan spell — at home to Southampton last November.
Gilmour continued to contribute outstanding displays for Scotland while making only 21 starts as the Canaries went straight back to the Championship.
Virgo noted: ‘The move to Norwich was needed for Premier League football but, all of a sudden, Billy went from a team that keep the ball very well to a team that doesn’t get much possession.
‘Brighton is totally different. I thought it was a fantastic signing. I still do.
‘I know the language has changed with Graham moving on but Billy is a very typical Brighton player.
‘Bags of potential, bags of talent, I think he’ll really enjoy coming into this side with a massively possession-based style.
‘Brighton fans love a holding midfielder who can put a tackle in, keep the ball well and start possession from deep. With Bissouma going they probably needed that midfielder with a bit of bite about them.
‘Graham played a variety of formations but would always need that holder. You’ve Enoch Mwepu and Moises Caicedo who probably have more pace than Billy.
‘But Billy’s a lot better in terms of picking out a pass, starting play from deep, getting wing-backs into play and creating the tempo in Brighton’s own half.
‘That role would certainly be suited for him, like it was for Scotland against England in the Euros.’
Virgo has admired Gilmour since his Chelsea breakthrough under Frank Lampard and has continued to catch the eye in his 15 international outings.
‘I think Frank believed in Billy at Chelsea, he got chances and showed great potential,’ said Virgo.
‘I’m not saying he could’ve gone to the Mason Mount level but could certainly have been given more opportunities, which you need as a youngster to really break through.
‘His Scotland performances, especially against England, made us all feel that Chelsea had a really good up-and-coming player.
‘But to make it there is very difficult. He’s an exceptional player but you also have to be a lucky one at Chelsea. I hope he’s found the right fit for him now.’