Billy Gilmour tipped for Chelsea chance as Norwich relegation will make him 'better and stronger'

Billy Gilmour will be a better and more mature player after suffering relegation with Norwich City last season.

That's the verdict of one-time Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet - who is a big fan of the former Rangers midfielder. Gilmour has established himself as part of the Scotland national team set-up under Steve Clarke as he looks to get to regular first-team football at club level once again.

The ex- Ibrox kid featured 28 times in all competitions for the Canaries last term but was unable to prevent them from suffering the drop from the English Premier League to the Championship for next season.

Poyet - who is currently in charge of the Greece national team - has no doubt over the abilities of the 21-year-old it is just whether he can produce the goods on a weekly basis.

And he reckons his spell away from Stamford Bridge could aid his chances of getting a fair shot under Thomas Tuchel next season as he will be a stronger character for the experience.

Speaking to Lord Ping, Poyet said: "Billy Gilmour is a good player, everyone knows that and we all know what he can do with the ball, it's just a question of whether he can perform week-in, week-out.

"Gilmour has gone out on loan, didn't play a lot but now he's back and hopefully he's a better player, more mature and because he experienced relegation with Norwich hopefully that will make him stronger and then maybe Thomas Tuchel will give him a chance."

The Scotland international has recently had his contract extended at Chelsea by a further 12 months until 2024 after they exercised a clause in his deal.

-