ROSS BARKLEY has tipped Billy Gilmour to fill the void left by Chelsea’s injured stars in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Everton.
Gilmour, 18, was man of the match in the Blues’ 2-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Liverpool on Tuesday.
Ross Barkley is tipping Billy Gilmour to star for Chelsea in the absence of their usual midfielders on Sunday.Credit: AP:Associated Press
And Barkley, who scored Chelsea’s second of the game, is backing his team-mate to fill the void left by the injured Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante on Sunday.
“Billy was ready for his chance against Liverpool and he took it,” he said.
“It doesn’t surprise me; I see him doing it in training every day, he doesn’t have a day where he is struggling.
“For a young lad he is really mature with his ability on the ball, he makes the right decision most of the time.
“He is similar to Jorginho. He is a quality player and a good addition to the squad.
“He recently moved into the first-team changing room with us and he’s settled really well and long may it continue.
“I like him and the manager and coaching staff love him as well.”
While Kovacic waits to discover the extent of an Achilles injury picked up against Liverpool, Kante is still out with adductor trouble and Jorginho will miss the Everton game through suspension.
The trio join a lengthy list of absentees for Blues boss Frank Lampard who was without Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christiansen on Tuesday.
That could mean a full Premier League debut for Gilmour against the Toffees following his star turn against the Premier League leaders last night.
Chelsea take on Everton at Stamford Bridge at 2pm on Sunday 8 March.
Teenage midfielder Gilmour was man of the match in Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup fifth round win against Liverpool.Credit: PA:Press Association
Youngster Billy Gilmour wins Man of the Match award for Chelsea against Liverpool in the FA Cup
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
