Billy Gilmour's Brighton dilemma after leaving Chelsea to play under Graham Potter revealed

Billy Gilmour has been left in a difficult situation after deciding to leave Chelsea for Brighton following Graham Potter’s decision to become the Blues’ next head coach, according to reports. 

The 21-year-old’s Chelsea departure was confirmed on Deadline Day which brought an end to his time in the capital. He was no longer part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans and a decision was made to allow him to leave on a permanent basis. 

We're delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Billy Gilmour for undisclosed terms. 🙌

🤝 @FirstTouchGames // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 1, 2022

He went to join Potter at Brighton for around £9 million and Potter expressed his delight at signing the Scotland international: “Billy arrives with a fantastic pedigree, having played in the Premier League and Champions League as well as for Scotland at last year’s Euros. He will complement our existing midfield options.

“That experience at quite a young age shows the strength of character he has and we’re really excited by his potential.

“Now it’s about allowing him the time to get used to a new environment and settling in to our club. We can’t wait to work with him.”

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Gilmour said: “Thank you for everything Chelsea. I’ve developed so much here and met people who will be friends for life.

"I’ve grown from a young boy to a man but I feel now is the time to make the next step in my career. Good luck and all the best! Once a blue, always a blue!”

But days later, Gilmour would have been left surprised after Chelsea sacked Tuchel, then approached and sealed Potter as the club’s next head coach. 

OFFICIAL: Graham Potter has been appointed as #Chelsea's new head coach on a five-year contract. pic.twitter.com/3Kz7TI7PE3

— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) September 8, 2022

Gilmour signed a four-year contract at Brighton, but as reported by The Sun, the 21-year-old didn’t want to leave Chelsea on Deadline Day but was persuaded by one reason. 

Potter’s style of play was crucial in Gilmour’s choice to select Brighton as his next club. Now Potter has left the club for Chelsea, Gilmour’s former club, he will be thinking he cannot catch a break.  

It was a decision that Potter couldn’t turn down. He said in his open letter: “I hope that you will understand that at this stage of my career, I felt I had to grasp a new opportunity.”

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Now Gilmour will have to wait for the club's next appointment to see how he will fare and get on.

Brighton's search for their next manager is well underway and several names have already been linked with the Seagulls, including Kjetil Knutsen and Roberto De Zerbi.

Potter has backed his former side to get the right successor in, concluding: "Albion fans know that with Tony, Paul and David the club is in safe hands. To my successor, whoever that may be, I would say, congratulations. You’ll be working for a great club with a fantastic squad, supported by a great chairman and board. The squad are playing at a high level and will get better. Most of all, the supporters will get behind the team home and away."