BREAKING: Ex-Chelsea man makes big Manchester City and Liverpool claim about Brighton’s Billy Gilmour
Brighton signed Billy Gilmour on transfer deadline day after agreeing a £9million deal with Chelsea for the young midfielder and Pat Nevin has had his say on the midfielder
Former Chelsea forward Pat Nevin believes a transfer to Brighton was the right move for Billy Gilmour but that his former club may want to re-sign the young midfielder in the future.
The 21-year-old made the move to the Sussex coast on transfer deadline day, signing a four-year deal after Brighton agreed a £9million deal with Chelsea. The midfielder was out of favour at Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at Norwich City last season.
Despite 28 senior appearances with the Canaries, Gilmour came under criticism from Norwich fans during a disappointing Premier League campaign that ended in relegation. Gilmour admitted he was looking to “enjoy football again” after a difficult season and Nevin believes Brighton will help him do that.
Nevin also claims that, if things go well at Brighton, Chelsea may look to re-sign the young Scotland international, although he says they could face competition in tempting him to return to Stamford Bridge. Nevin told the Herald: “Billy Gilmour is at a crucial point in his career, and the move to Brighton is brilliant. It’s the right move.
“Chelsea won’t regret selling him because that’s not the way they think as a club – but they may want to buy him back again. Four or five years down the line, I won’t be surprised if he’s playing in the Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea midfield – he’s that technically good.”
Gilmour was handed his Brighton debut last weekend in what was Graham Potter’s final game in charge of the club. Potter said he was excited to work with the youngster, but the 47-year-old went in the opposite direction on Thursday after taking the job at Gilmour’s former club Chelsea following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking.
Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet was sympathetic regarding Brighton’s latest arrival, with Gilmour’s future now set to be placed in the hands of a new manager at the Amex Stadium. After completing a transfer to Brighton, Gilmour told My Albion TV: “For me, Brighton play great football, a style that I like to play, nice passing. The manager [Potter] is highly thought of as well. He’s really good.
“I thought I wanted to come here. I also know a couple of players here like [Levi] Colwill and Tariq [Lamptey]. So I’ve asked them and they’ve been telling me how good a club it has been. I am looking forward to joining. I would like to play, mostly, every game, to make a name for myself in the team. To settle and enjoy my football again.”