Tuchel urges Gilmour to fight for Norwich place

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says Billy Gilmour can learn from his struggles at Norwich and urged the Scotland international to work hard and fight his way back into the side at Carrow Road.

Gilmour moved to the Canaries on a season-long loan to earn some regular game time in the Premier League.

But despite Daniel Farke’s newly-promoted side being rooted to the foot of the table and still seeking a first win of the campaign, the 20-year-old has not featured in their past five matches, leading to speculation he may be recalled to Stamford Bridge early.

However, Tuchel said there has been no conversations about Gilmour coming back to London and said he spoke to both Farke and the former Glasgow Rangers trainee about the situation after the Blues’ recent 7-0 win over Norwich.

“I spoke to Daniel about it and I was happy to meet Billy,” Tuchel said.

“Things were clear when we first decided together that he needed more match time at another club that he needs to fight his way (into the side) and that is where he is right now.

“Things are not as he and we all wish for at the moment, but it’s now is not the time to give solutions and cancel the whole project.

“Sometimes these weeks and months arrive and the situation seems to be stuck or not going the right way but you have to hang in there, show your quality and help your team, no matter where it is.

“That sharpens your character and that will be a big chapter in your career that you can look back on.”

Tuchel did not rule out the possibility of Gilmour returning during the January transfer window but said no decision would be made until then, even if his position does not improve.

“Any solutions may be made in January if there were talks to bring him back,” he said.

“But it is the start of November and he has a lot of time to prove he has enough quality to make Norwich a better team.”