𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 - 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬

[𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥]

With Tuchel preferring his familiar 3-4-2-1 system against Barnsley, Billy Gilmour was deployed as a #6 alongside N'Golo Kante almost one year on since he first announced himself in the FA Cup.

It was not Billy Gilmour's best game by his own high standards, yet he was still one of the standout players in blue.

He demonstrated the composure, footballing IQ, leadership and technical ability that excites Chelsea fans.

It's easy to forget Gilmour is just 19 years old.

Throughout the game, Barnsley relentlessly pressed high and this made it difficult for Chelsea to play out from the back.

Gilmour always makes himself available and is very effective at scanning his surrounding area before receiving the ball - he is always one step ahead.

Gilmour is full of confidence, constantly demanding the ball and trusting his own ability to receive it well.

Many footballers find it easy to play a passive role off the ball, yet Gilmour loves to be involved and offer support to those around him.

The way he commands players is further evidence of his high footballing IQ - very few players are able to influence the game without touching the ball. Billy Gilmour exhibits profound leadership and an undeniable intelligence beyond his years.

I've seen a lot of people discredit Billy Gilmour for his small stature - for me, height is one of the laziest criticisms in football. As Hasselbaink described him - "He’s playing like a ‘big man'".

Unafraid to challenge in the air or get stuck in - Billy Gilmour is fearless.

Another tool that Billy Gilmour has in his toolbox is his passing ability. Combined with his impressive awareness, he is capable of picking out the perfect pass in any scenario.

Here, he identifies the run of Abraham who arguably should have won a penalty.

For me, the key issue in our build-up yesterday was that Ziyech and Pulisic failed to find pockets of space to receive the ball between the lines.

This forced Chelsea to play the ball long and run in behind the defenders - Gilmour only managed 3/6 accurate long balls this time.

In the second half, Tuchel tweaked the formation to a 4-1-4-1 to "escape the pressure" and control the game higher up the field. Gilmour played as an #8 in this half and had the freedom to find space between the lines.

However, Kante wasn't good enough at progressing the ball.

Chelsea finally broke through with a goal from Tammy Abraham. Made in Cobham.

Gilmour receives the ball in space, and finds Reece James out wide perfectly who does what he does best.

Thomas Tuchel: "You cannot leave out the pass from Billy Gilmour."

Going forward, how should Tuchel interpret this performance?

We know that Gilmour is 4th choice, but I felt this was a positive start under new management. He doesn't climb the pecking order just yet - Kante himself is miles away from dislodging Kovacic and Jorginho.

Billy Gilmour suits the intense high press, possession-based system that Thomas Tuchel demands from his players. The manager has every reason to like him.

• Another Win
• Through to the Quarter-Finals
• Clean Sheet

Job done. UTC!

[𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥]

@CarefreeYouth @chelseayouth