‘Fabulous’ player warned about joining Leicester or West Ham; wouldn’t get in their XI

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Chelsea’s forgotten man, Billy Gilmour, should be wary of a switch to Leicester City or West Ham United, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has told talkSPORT (13 April, 11am).

This time last year, a diminutive teenager was taking home the man of the match award after a performance full of class, composure and maturity during a 4-0 thrashing of Everton.

A lot has changed since – and not least because the last time Gilmour played 90 minutes in a Premier League match there was a sold-out crowd cheering him on.

The 19-year-old Scot has barely kicked a ball since Frank Lampard was replaced by Thomas Tuchel in west London, omitted from the matchday squad once more for Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

And, while it would be easy to suggest a loan move away from Chelsea is exactly what he needs, Jordan isn’t so sure.

After all, West Ham and Leicester aren’t short of top-quality central midfielders themselves.

“Going out on loan, it has to be the right place. There’s no guarantee (Gilmour) wouldn’t find himself in the same place at Leicester,” Jordan suggests.

“Leicester are a good side. They are established. They are above Chelsea in the league. It might be nice for Brendan Rodgers to have him as part of his squad but it doesn’t actually help Billy Gilmour.

“Billy is still a fabulous player – but he’s still a very young player.

“If he’s not going to get into Chelsea’s team, what’s to say he’s going to get into Leicester’s team? What’s to say he’s going to get into West Ham’s side?

“West Ham are also on a par with Chelsea.”

In truth, there is little sign of things changing at Chelsea for the one-time Rangers kid.

With his contract running until 2022, Tuchel is understandably prioritising the present over the future.

The German’s focus is on hoovering up as many trophies as he can during the next 14 months or so with long-term prospects such as Gilmour falling behind the tried-and-trusted Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic as a result.