CHELSEA teenager Billy Gilmour left fans salivating after a majestic performance in the 2-0 win against Liverpool.
The 18-year-old dominated midfield in a performance that saw the word ‘Xavi’ trend on Twitter – such was the clamour to compare him to the Barcelona icon.
Chelsea teenager Billy Gilmour was brilliant against LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Gilmour, who had his family and grandparents down from Scotland, was named Man of the Match as the Blues reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
His class on the ball, ferocity in the tackle and wisdom beyond his years had viewers and pundits – and his manager – purring.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, one of the best defensive midfielders in the world when on top form, had an evening to forget thanks to the young Scot.
At one point Gilmour had the Brazilian looking like Bambi on ice, dropping the shoulder with a brilliant turn and through-ball that almost saw Olivier Giroud score.
Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas was hugely impressed with the youngster.
When asked how he rated Gilmour’s performance, he wrote on Twitter: “Fantastic. Personality on the ball, intelligence in his decision making, always making angles to offer himself and has that bit of aggression in him which is very important specially in the Premier League.
“When you have the quality but also the desire, the work ethic and the intelligence, then is when you can see real potential in a young player. He has all of that.”
Blues boss Frank Lampard said: “He’s a throwback to the midfielders when I grew up… People might look at him and see that he’s quite slight, but he’s huge in personality.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him, and he deserves everything.”
Speaking on Match of the Day, England legend Alan Shearer said: “The star of the show is the midfielder – the young Billy Gilmour. He has bossed it.
“Whatever he’s been asked to do, whether that’s collecting the ball and passing it forward, protecting that back four or spraying the ball around; he’s been absolutely magnificent.
“A lot of the time I’ve seen Chelsea this season, yes they have good possession in Jorginho in the way he passes it, but he hasn’t done what this young boy has done in terms of getting the ball and passing it forward – that’s been his first thought.
“Not only that but he’s protected that back four magnificently. Everything he has done has been spot on. The tackling, the timing of the tackles. Setting Chelsea forward… the confidence – he’s 18 years of age! To have that confidence, that belief in your ability.”
Lampard later added: “I’ve got absolute trust in Billy.
“I remember when he first came in against Sheffield United, we drew the game and people questioned this kid who looks like a 15-year-old. I remember someone individually saying that to me.
“But I’ve no problem with him because if he’s small in stature he’s huge in personality, and also huge in talent.
“And for me, for a midfield player I have lots of questions.
“Do you want to receive the ball in all positions, in all moments? Yes, he does.
“Do you want to make angles, can you pick the right pass? Yes, he generally does.
“Will you put your foot in? Yes, he does.
“He does all the right things, and he’s humble.
“And all his family were here tonight, I think his nan and grandad were down from Scotland.
“And what a performance; not just as a youngster coming into the team, that’s one level – he performed like a top-class player going up against top-class players. So it was a great performance.”
Chelsea fans also joked that the midfielder has now surpassed Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez.
One wrote: “Andres Iniesta and Xavi have posters of Billy Gilmour on their walls.”
Another added: “‘When I grow up I hope to be on the same level as Gilmour’ – Xavi Hernandez.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
