Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour is regarded as one of the brightest prospects at Stamford Bridge currently.
The young midfielder has made a positive impact at Chelsea over pre-season, and he made his senior debut for the Blues in the League Cup against Grimsby Town.
Gilmour appears to have a very bright future ahead of him at Stamford Bridge, but he has not always seen a pathway to the first team.
Indeed, the prospect says that he went to Lampard and asked for a loan move away in the summer.
However, Lampard wanted to keep Gilmour around as he spotted the teenager’s talent.
“In pre-season the manager had a chat with me saying he knew I wanted to go on loan but said it would be better if I stayed,” Gilmour said.
“Obviously it’s working. He’s looking at younger players. With the transfer ban it’s hard but it’s good experience for us. Hopefully, I can try to get more first-team games.
“He talks to you normally, tells you you’re doing well and says if I want to keep training with them I need to keep my standards up.”
Gilmour may actually have half a chance of featuring for Chelsea at the weekend, with so many of their midfielders struggling with injury.
If the Blues suffer any more injuries in the centre of the pitch, Gilmour could well see himself included in Lampard’s match day squad for their contest with Newcastle United.
That would represent remarkable progress for the youngster, with excitement building about his potential.
Even if Gilmour doesn’t feature at the weekend, Lampard has already proven he will play Chelsea’s brightest young talent, and it is surely only a matter of time before he makes his first-team breakthrough.
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