Tuchel: Out of favour midfielder needs to “fight his way through”

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has had nothing much to grumble about since taking charge in January.

Not only has the German led the club to its second Champions League triumph, but, as it stands, he also has them sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.

However, the Blues boss does have a concern 100 miles north east of Stamford Bridge in Norwich.

This is where midfielder Billy Gilmour was sent out on loan to at the start of the season as Chelsea hoped he would gain much needed regular football in the Premier League.

That looked to be going to plan early on as the Scotland international started four of the Canaries’ first five top-flight games.

But since the 3-1 defeat at home to Watford in October, the 20-year-old hasn’t been selected by boss Daniel Farke, who’s still aiming to secure a first win for his side which sits rock bottom.

Gilmour has been watching from the bench in recent weeks.

Although the situation is not the ideal one for Chelsea. Tuchel (in his pre-match Champions League press conference) that the Blues will not rush into a decision and that it’s up to Gilmour to work his way back into the side.

“I spoke to Daniel (Farke) and Billy (Gilmour) about the situation and we will make the decision in January,” he said.

“He left looking for more minutes and game time at another club and the challenge is for him to fight his way through

“Things are not going as well as he perhaps hoped but it’s not the moment to cancel the whole project or open talks to bring him back.”

“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive when the situation doesn’t seem to be going the right way – you just have to hang in there and show your quality and make sure you help your team, no matter how.

“That sharpens the character and I am sure it will be a big chapter in Billy’s career.

“It is only the start of November and there are still months to go and a lot of time to prove he has enough quality to help Norwich be a better team.”

Norwich next face Brentford on Saturday where the big question will be not only can the Canaries get their first three points of the campaign, but will Gilmour be restored to the starting XI?