After the first half of Chelsea’s US tour was done, the Blues sent home Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour, Tino Anjorin and Harvey Vale.
The stated logic from Thomas Tuchel was that as more international players and new signings had arrived in the group, there were now too many players to all be useful, and it was better to let this group go and play friendlies with the youth teams than sit on the bench with the big boys.
According to Adam Newson’s fascinating diary of the tour on Football.London, the decision to send Gilmour away surprised members of the squad.
It certainly surprised a lot of fans watching on from these shores. Why on earth do we need to see any more of Ross Barkley – who was injured for the subsequent two games anyway.
We’re glad to hear we’re not the only ones who thought that was some bizarre decision making.