Billy Gilmour, a former Chelsea player, has reportedly been “mystified” by Graham Potter’s switch to Stamford Bridge just days after Graham Potter persuaded him to sign with Brighton.
The 21-year-old moved to the south coast on deadline day for around £7 million, with the possibility of increasing that to £10 million. He made his debut three days later, coming off the bench in a 5-2 victory over Leicester City.
But since Potter was hired as Chelsea’s manager on Thursday, his brief appearance in stoppage time last Sunday would be his only game under Potter.
Reports claim that Gilmour has admitted to friends that Potter’s style of play was the only factor in his decision to join Brighton. However, Gilmour is currently without a position while the Seagulls wait for the selection of a new manager.
The Scottish international may be regretting his choice to leave Stamford Bridge as he has been left “mystified” by the recent occurrences.
Thomas Tuchel gave the go-ahead for Gilmour’s exit because the German coach had made it obvious to Gilmour that staying would result in him receiving only a very limited number of first-team opportunities.
Other players were similarly benched under Tuchel, although stars like Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi were simply loaned away – with no buy clauses – as Chelsea’s owners already had reservations about their Champions League-winning manager.
Todd Boehly believed that some players at Stamford Bridge would still have a future under a new manager, but Gilmour does not seem to have been treated with the same regard.
The Scot was persuaded by Potter to leave Chelsea despite not really wanting to, and now he must wait in suspense to see whom Brighton chooses to replace the Englishman.
Potter had claimed that Billy Gilmour arrived with a wonderful history, having played in the Premier League and Champions League in addition to for Scotland at last year’s Euros, after acquiring him for Brighton.
He will strengthen our current midfield options. His character is demonstrated by that experience at such a young age, and we are quite optimistic about his future.
