Chelsea can all but seal their Champions League place for next season with a win tonight, and Thomas Tuchel knows it.
Despite the FA Cup final this weekend and the European Cup final still to come, the coach know the league must be wrapped up before anything, so he’s had to go with a strong side tonight.
With Mateo Kovacic out and Tuchel keen to keep N’Golo Kante fresh, Billy Gilmour gets his THIRD consecutive Premier League start for the Blues. It shows a growing trust from the manager in the young midfielder, and we can’t get enough of it.
Fans on social media were understandably delighted by their boy wonder getting another go. “Masterclass incoming” declared one – let’s hope so. They seemed particularly keen on the idea of Billy playing alongside Jorginho in midfield.
Cue Spiderman “no, you” memes.
You can see a selection of the reaction in the Tweets embedded here:
Gilmour starting 3 PL games in a row, 2 being against City and Arsenal. Yet people want to send him on loan to Crystal Palace
— Jamie (@CFCJem) May 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/AhmedMoniem10/status/1392546136829874176
https://twitter.com/OwenJamesBrown/status/1392546212465815556
Gilmour starts💙💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/0thJGynJvd
— Billy Gilmour Fan Account (@BillyGilmourOF1) May 12, 2021
Gilmour masterclass incoming
— Anachronist (@The_VanDal13) May 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/WooDizzlee/status/1392546285241225218
https://twitter.com/bang_bar0n/status/1392546381403877377
https://twitter.com/on_atoutcasse/status/1392546501973266434
Very happy Gilmour is starting, strong line up as always, got to trust the whole squad no matter who’s out there. Come on Chelsea! 💙 https://t.co/IWkxxrsVzJ
— CFC Alfie ⭐️⭐️ (@alfieg315) May 12, 2021
Was hoping Callum would have started, surely will get mins off the bench 2nd half
Interesting that Mendy lost his place, but, maybe its precautionary
Can't wait to see Gilmour run midfield tonight with Jorg tho
Strong team https://t.co/zDZgNmw0Cr
— NiiNiiFC-BlueLionsTV (@NiiNiiFC) May 12, 2021
I'm not debating Tommy Tuchel's starting XI
He knows what he's doing.
Come On Chelsea 👊
P.S. lovely to see Billy Gilmour keeping his place in the team https://t.co/xgoQUkz3t2— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) May 12, 2021
Gilmour with 3 starts in a row 🙌🏽 good to see
— Jack P (@Jack_Parrish7) May 12, 2021
Little surprised CHO wasn't handed a start but Gilmour in again is good, Livramento and Anjorin on the bench is neat too. #CFC #CHEARS https://t.co/dSF1PEICBe
— Travis (@Travtical) May 12, 2021
🚨 Billy Gilmour starts for the third Premier League game in a row. #CHEARS pic.twitter.com/sRxqBHCoWK
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) May 12, 2021
– Three Premier League starts in a row.
– Back-to-back starts against Manchester City and Arsenal.Billy Gilmour. 19 years old. pic.twitter.com/9KYVcP8QfA
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) May 12, 2021