Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour set to be out for four months after knee operation as boss Frank Lampard hails Scottish teenager’s attitude
- Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour has been ruled-out for ‘three to four months’
- The Scottish 19-year-old has been forced to undergo a knee operation
- Gilmour broke into the Blues first-team this season and has impressed
- Frank Lampard has backed Gilmour’s attitude to get him through the setback
Frank Lampard has confirmed Billy Gilmour will be out for up to four months after undergoing knee surgery on Friday morning.
Scottish midfield starlet Gilmour, 19, went under the knife after damaging his knee against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, bringing a premature end to his exciting breakthrough season.
Confirmation of the extent of Gilmour’s injury is a blow to the Blues, who have at least six games left this season and remain in the top four hunt, FA Cup and Champions League.
Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour is set for a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury
The star picked up an injury with 10 minutes remaining in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace
Gilmour’s emergence has been one of the big plus points of Lampard’s first season in charge.
And Lampard has repeatedly shown his faith in the diminutive academy product since handing Gilmour his Premier League debut against tomorrow’s opponents Sheffield United back in August.
Most recently Lampard has preferred the talented teenager over the more experienced Jorginho, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic sidelined with injuries.
Chelsea manager Lampard said: ‘Billy had an operation on his knee this morning and unfortunately will be out for three to four months.
Frank Lampard will now be without the 19-year-old for Chelsea’s remaining four league games
‘I am very disappointed. We all are here, so is Billy. I spoke with him yesterday at length and gave him some support. He is a tough boy. It hit him hard, I get that as well as a younger player. He’s just made his breakthrough in recent times. He was doing so well.
‘But I explained he should be very pleased with the impact he has had this season and that this is part of football.
‘It is our job as players to get on with things. He will learn that lesson quickly. His attitude will get him back as quickly as he can.
Having made his debut this season, Gilmour has become a fan favourite in West London
‘His character is fantastic, particularly with his age and personality he has shown getting in and around the first team squad, pushing himself into the team.
‘I’m very sure he will do everything right, put in the rehab and the work to tackle it. He has a close knit family around him and we’re his family too.
‘We’ll be there for him. The bonus is that hopefully the period out will cover the off season and pre-season so he’s not missing as many games as he might have done.’
