Former Rangers youngster and Chelsea wonderkid Billy Gilmour has revealed that boss Frank Lampard blocked a loan out of Stamford Bridge because he planned to use him in the first team this season.
It’s a promise which has since come to fruition, with Gilmour making his first Premier League appearance for the club against Sheffield United earlier in the campaign.
But with a conversation around Gilmour one day returning to Ibrox on loan as part of his development, do his comments suggest that’s incredibly unlikely?
“In pre-season, the manager had a chat with me and said he knew I wanted to go on loan, but told me it would be better if I stayed,” explains Gilmour [Scottish Sun].
“Obviously it’s working. He’s looking at younger players now. With the transfer ban it’s hard, but it’s a good experience for younger players.
“I’m mainly playing Under-23s, we’re top of the league and have won a lot of our games.
“But hopefully I can try and make sure I get more first-team games.”
With 18-year-old Gilmour being so highly rated at Stamford Bridge, the comments would suggest any potential loan move out of the club is currently being put on hold.
A return to Rangers for a season would be, on paper at least, an attractive proposition for both Chelsea and Rangers.
Gilmour returns to the club where he first developed as a player, Chelsea see one of their star talents develop at a huge club with European football, and Rangers get a fine talent.
But the closer Gilmour gets to properly making the breakthrough and establishing himself at Chelsea, the less likely this appears.
Still, perhaps Frank will change his mind when Chelsea are free to buy players next season?
