‘We expected more’ – Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel reveals why he sold wonderkid Billy Gilmour to Brighton for £9m
THOMAS TUCHEL has revealed Chelsea “expected more” from the departed Billy Gilmour.
The Blues sold the Scottish midfielder to Brighton for £9million on transfer deadline day.
Gilmour, 21, agreed a four-year deal at the Amex.
And boss Tuchel has explained the decision behind the youngster’s move to Sussex.
Tuchel said: “We had high hopes and he played for us in the first half a year when I was at Chelsea.
“He played some important matches for us and looked for a new challenge that did not go so well for him with Norwich.
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“We expected more, he expected more so it was like, without pointing a finger, but it is difficult also for him and for us to not succeed.
“To not play at Norwich, to be relegated and then suddenly be a central midfielder for Chelsea and competing for top four and for every title.
“There’s a huge step in between so we were looking, the ideal solution would have been maybe that he goes again on loan as the concurrence is huge for us in central midfield and we felt like he is not the age where he can live again with five or six or seven matches during a whole season to fulfil his own potential so ideally, it would have been another loan.
“Billy did not want to go on loan, it was a no-go for him so in the end, we agreed to a sale.”
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Gilmour made a stunning start to his Chelsea career under Frank Lampard but fell out of favour under Tuchel.
After enduring a difficult loan spell with Norwich City last season, the German boss claims Gilmour did not fancy another temporary deal.
The ace only made 11 Prem appearances for the West London club but continues to be a regular for his country.
He was included in the Blues’ party for their pre-season tour to the USA but was then snubbed of a squad number at the start of the season.
He subsequently joined the Seagulls and should be given more of a chance in Graham Potter’s line up.
Head coach Potter said: “Billy arrives with a fantastic pedigree, having played in the Premier League and Champions League as well as for Scotland at last year’s Euros.
“He will complement our existing midfield options.
“That experience at quite a young age shows the strength of character he has and we’re really excited by his potential.
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“Now it’s about allowing him the time to get used to a new environment and settling in to our club.
“We can’t wait to work with him.”