‘I don’t give him too much advice but we do talk a lot. I have seen Billy’s abilities from the first time he started training with the first team. He can become a really excellent player so it is up to him to work hard and to get better with each day. I am sure that, with his personality, he is going to do that.’
A Kovacic injury towards the end of the season meant he was absent when Gilmour was enjoying Chelsea minutes on the pitch but earlier in the campaign, they played together in the FA Cup run especially.
‘Billy’s qualities cannot be brought into question,’ said the 27-year-old. ‘He is still a young player but he has played a lot of good matches for Chelsea and for his national team.