Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Granovskaia ready to act after comments on Chelsea loan star Gilmour

Billy Gilmour Norwich, on loan from Chelsea, July 2021

Chelsea transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia could be ready to recall Billy Gilmour from his loan spell at Norwich following comments from Canaries boss Daniel Farke.

The Scotland international moved to Carrow Road during the summer on a season-long loan deal. At the time the move was considered a shrewd piece of business for the promoted side, with Gilmour regarded as one of the top young talents in British football.

However, since playing in their opening three matches of the campaign, Gilmour has recently been let out of the side by Farke.

Indeed, he was an unused substitute again as the Canaries drew 0-0 with Brighton on Saturday. That result stretched their winless run from the start of the season to eight games.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Brighton game, Farke insisted there is no expectation to select Gilmour and that young players from top Premier League clubs must expect competition for places.

Farke said: “There is no pressure (to play Gilmour). We are not here to develop players for other clubs, we are here to win points for this club,” the German told his press conference.

Barcelona shortlist three Chelsea defenders

Barcelona shortlist three Chelsea defenders

Barcelona have reportedly shortlist Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen all as transfer targets, with more news on Ousmane Dembele and Edinson Cavani.

“They want to be Manchester United, Chelsea or Tottenham players one day, so they need to face a challenge and step up to it.”

That has led to the Sunday Express claiming that Chelsea director Granovskaia might look to recall Gilmour at the start of the new year.

Season-long loan deals generally include an option for clubs to recall their players in January.


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Chelsea star angry at Mendy snub

Meanwhile, the omission of Edouard Mendy from the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or has been questioned by one of his Chelsea teammates after his latest clean sheet.

Mendy has been hugely impressive since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2020. He quickly settled in and established himself as their number one. By the end of his debut season with the club, he was a Champions League winner.

The goalkeeper has carried his form over into this season, most recently helping to shut out Brentford in a 1-0 win despite the opponents having seven shots on target in comparison to Chelsea’s one.

Kepa Arrizabalaga Chelsea

His performance was a timely reminder of his importance to a successful side. But it came shortly after he did’t make it onto the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

Five Chelsea players are in contention for the prestigious award: Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku and Mason Mount.

But there was little recognition overall for goalkeepers; only Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain is in the 30-strong group. Mendy, therefore, was overlooked.

Rudiger shocked at Mendy absence

And one member of the Chelsea setup has expressed his own opinion after watching his teammate’s heroics.

Antonio Rudiger has also been instrumental to Chelsea’s growth under Tuchel. He was absent for the Brentford game, though, due to injury.

Mendy was thus playing behind a makeshift backline of Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and Malang Sarr. But Rudiger was obviously keeping a close eye on proceedings.

After the game, the German defender shared his enthusiasm for the man who normally plays behind him.

“Someone explain why he’s not nominated for the Ballon d’Or,” Rudiger tweeted, along with three puzzled face emojis. “What a performance… EDOUARD MENDY.”

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