One To Watch: Billy the kid can hit the right note with the Canaries

There was already plenty of hype around Billy Gilmour — but that ramped up a notch on the back of one wet Friday night at Wembley.

The young Scot’s performance for his country against England at Euro 2020 increased expectation on the 20-year-old’s shoulders.

A positive coronavirus test stopped him taking part in Scotland’s final group game against Croatia but the genie was already out of the bottle.

It was clear Gilmour needed game time in the Premier League and Norwich found themselves at the front of the queue for his signature.

So after completing a season-long loan move to Carrow Road, what can we expect from the midfielder?

Why Norwich?

On the surface, choosing yo-yo club Norwich seems an odd choice for Gilmour.

Other sides such as Wolves and Newcastle were keen on a temporary deal, as were his boyhood club Rangers.

But there were two important reasons behind Chelsea’s decision to pick the Canaries. 

Firstly, boss Daniel Farke likes to play a similar style of football to Thomas Tuchel. It is patient, possession-based and utilises two sitting midfielders.

While Gilmour will spend more time without the ball than he would at Stamford Bridge, the experience will set him up nicely for when he returns to West London.

Gilmour said: "I spoke to the head coach. He called me and we had a nice talk about how he wants to play and how he sees me fitting in.

"Everything he said was what I want to do on the pitch, get the ball down and play nice football. He spoke really highly of his team and I wanted to come join here and help."

On top of that, Tottenham loanee Oliver Skipp shone as Norwich won the Championship last season.

Skipp, also 20, thrived in the environment Farke has created in Norfolk and was the latest in a number of youngsters to kick on under the German.

Chelsea will have looked at that and taken heart from the fact they can trust the Premier League newcomers to develop Gilmour's skill set.

Great expectations

Though it was not the first time he has taken to the big stage like a duck to water, that Wembley display means everyone knows about the Adrossan-born ace. 

On his full international debut, in his country’s first tournament for 23 years, against their biggest rivals, Gilmour put in a man-of-the-match performance.

In in a box-to-box role, he achieved a passing accuracy of 90.7% and also made three interceptions.

But Farke has already looked to keep a lid on any expectations.

He said: "We are happy to have him but we have to be realistic. We don’t want to praise him too much or put too much pressure on him.

"We have to be a bit careful. Let’s not talk too much, let him be on the pitch and show what he can do.

"He will help us to achieve our targets. We still have to keep in mind that he is an unbelievably young guy and that he hasn't played regularly on this level. 

"We have to give him some time and space to improve and find his rhythm.”

Settling in already

It already seems like Carrow Road is going to be the perfect place for Gilmour to take the next step.

Videos emerged of him last weekend belting out Train’s Drops of Jupiter as the Norwich squad took part in some karaoke in the city, while his pre-season displays have also caught the eye.

He played the first 45 minutes of Norwich's opening win over King's Lynn Town and came off the bench as they beat League One outfit Lincoln City.

With Coventry up next this evening, his new team-mates have already been impressed with the quality he shows in training — but more importantly, his work ethic.

Centre-back Ben Gibson said: "We are an easy group to get on with as long as you work hard — and that’s certainly what he does.

"I'm really looking forward to building a relationship on and off the pitch with Billy this season.

"There is no doubt he is going to be a top, top player but hopefully we can be a part of that development and help him along his way. No doubt he will help us massively this season as well."

What next at Chelsea?

Not everyone agrees with the decision to send Gilmour out on loan.

Scotland legend Graeme Souness believes Chelsea should have taken a leaf out of Manchester City’s book.

He told Sky Sports: "Personally, I would keep him at Chelsea. I think Jorginho has to be looking over his shoulder.

"I know it's a slightly different position but I think he'll be challenging him more than anyone else.

"I look at Phil Foden at City. Pep [Guardiola] didn't let him go out on loan."

But Chelsea fully expect him to thrive in East Anglia. 

The Blues believe that when he returns to the Bridge next summer, they will have a midfielder ready to challenge for a starring role on their hands.