Frank Lampard decided against allowing Billy Gilmour to leave Chelsea on loan in the summer, instead preferring to keep him at Stamford Bridge and monitor his development at close quarters.
The Blues’ talented 18-year-old has been linked with a January loan move to the Championship, with both Nottingham Forest and Leeds United reportedly showing interest in the midfielder.
"In pre-season the manager had a chat with me saying he knew I wanted to go on loan but said it would be better if I stayed,” Gilmour told The Sun.
After opting to leave Rangers and move south of the border, Gilmour was given his first team debut by Lampard in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United last month in the Premier League, before being handed a start in the 7-1 victory over Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.
Gilmour hopes his form and work in training will continue to see him involved with Lampard’s squad, with more minutes on the pitch following.
"Obviously it's working,” he said.
“He's looking at younger players. With the transfer ban it's hard but it's good experience for us.
"Hopefully, I can try to get more first-team games.
"He talks to you normally, tells you you're doing well and says if I want to keep training with them I need to keep my standards up.
"I wanted to follow my dream and to play in the Premier League and choosing Chelsea has turned out to be the right move. I'm enjoying it.
"The plan for me was set up and I'm now ahead of the plan.
"I thought I was going to play two years at Under-18s but I played one at 18s and then moved on to the Under-23s.
"This year should be my first year at 23s but I'm one of the senior players.
"I am training with the first team and I have had a couple of games so I'm in a good position now."
