We expected a rotated team for this afternoon’s game against Manchester City, and Thomas Tuchel didn’t disappoint.
The Chelsea manager has picked a strong side, but used plenty of his squad players, and the presence of Billy Gilmour in midfield is a real talking point.
Mateo Kovacic’s injury has created a space, and Tuchel is trusting the youngster at last.
The Scot played in last weekend’s Premier League game too, and it’s been a long time since he played twice in 7 days. Fans on social media were feeling positive about the mood, with one calling it a great “platform to shine” against the Champions-elect.
He started slow last week and looked a little rusty – which wasn’t surprising at all. Let’s hope he can start quickly against today’s serious opposition. They won’t be as forgiving as Fulham were in the early stages yesterday.
You can see a selection of the reaction in the Tweets embedded here:
Billy Gilmour. 🔥 #MCICHE
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) May 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/OwenJamesBrown/status/1391054770828349442
Ziyech x Gilmour will be interesting to watch
— Obiagu 🖤🦁 (@MayowaQuadri_) May 8, 2021
Gilmour and Kante Pivot? Gilmour getting more trust. It's so good platform to shine, hope he takes it with both hands. Consecutive premier league starts since when?
— Seun🇳🇬 (@SeunMobolaji) May 8, 2021
tiny feeling if he’s starting Gilmour in midfield he may try Reece there 🤔
probs not when thinking about it but yeah it’ll be interesting to see if Reece isn’t in midfield who’s up top..
— Parth (@CFCParee) May 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/becksssw/status/1390991088018673692
Billy G starts!
Mount and Chilwell given full rests – guess Mason was in the red zone.
Lovely to see Livramento given chance on bench. #CFC
— Daniel Childs ☕️ (@SonOfChelsea) May 8, 2021
Expected changes, got changes.
Good side, and amazing to see Billy Gilmour face City too!
Shame about CHO though https://t.co/xa9wICu7Dn
— Tom Overend (@tovers98) May 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/JRcentre/status/1391054660052598791
Brave from Tuchel to throw Gilmour into a game like this. Hope he has a great game! https://t.co/c4rn7Oa37p
— Chelsea Extra 🏆 (@CFCExtra) May 8, 2021
Back to back league starts for Billy pic.twitter.com/VPXeeZ17n8
— . (@CFCBilly_) May 8, 2021
Strong line-up
What a fantastic opportunity for Billy Gilmour!
Come On Chelsea 👊💙 https://t.co/Wi3TUDG2Pt— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) May 8, 2021
🚨 Billy Gilmour starts for Chelsea against Manchester City – his 2nd Premier League start in a row.
[cfcnewspage IG] #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/XEmq2N7r7a
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) May 8, 2021
