Todd Boehly's Billy Gilmour Chelsea chance revealed after Tuchel sacking and Potter appointment
Following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and hiring of Graham Potter it has been revealed that Billy Gilmour was handed a chance at Chelsea by Todd Boehly, according to reports.
The Scotsman completed a transfer to Brighton on Deadline Day in a move worth around £9 million.
Last season Gilmour was loaned out to Norwich City, but it was not a particularly smooth year and upon his return to Chelsea, he still do not look to be a part of Tuchel's plans.
Playing just a total of 22 first team matches for the Blues, the 21-year-old failed to become a familiar face in the side.
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While under the management of Frank Lampard, Gilmour looked as though he could a consistent starter. A breakthrough display in a 2-0 win in the FA Cup against Liverpool fuelled excitement about the youngster.
An unfortunate injury to his knee which required surgery dropped him out of the side.
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When Lampard lost his job and was replaced by Tuchel, Gilmour struggled for minutes and featured rarely.
His departure this summer therefore was not a surprise, but it was a disappointment for Chelsea fans to see him leave on a permanent basis.
However, it could have been very different and has perhaps not worked out the way Gilmour would have hoped.
German manager Tuchel encouraged the player to leave given he was not in his plans and could develop well at Brighton.
The Chelsea ownership, led by Boehly and Clearlake Capital were not so convinced it was a good idea. They held a meeting with the midfielder on Deadline Day suggesting he should remain at the club.
As reported by The Athletic, Boehly is thought to have said to Gilmour that he should wait for his opportunity at Chelsea, even going on to imply that the situation with Tuchel may soon change.
Despite this though, Gilmour demanded a transfer, and as neither side wanted a loan deal, he completed a permanent move.
Just a week on from this drama, a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League saw Tuchel get relieved of his duties.
While Tuchel played a big factor in Gilmour's decision to leave, he may still have felt making the switch to Brighton was the right choice.
The announcement that came out the following day may just have made him think twice though. On Thursday, Chelsea confirmed that Brighton manager Graham Potter would step into the head coach role.
Gilmour's decision will certainly be playing on his mind, but with the World Cup rapidly approaching, he needs to make the most of his game time on the south coast to ensure he is prepared.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Billy Gilmour, Thomas Tuchel, Todd Boehly
Sam Collins