Billy Gilmour Set to Miss Rest of Season With Knee Ligament Injury

Billy Gilmour is set for surgery on a knee ligament injury, while the Chelsea midfielder could miss the start of next season in recovery.


19-year-old Gilmour has enjoyed something of a breakthrough campaign at Stamford Bridge in 2019/20, despite only making six Premier League appearances.


The highly rated Glaswegian starlet started Chelsea's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, but was taken off with just over ten minutes to play.


Gilmour started Chelsea's win over Crystal Palace

Speaking after the win, manager Frank Lampard praised Gilmour, who he had somewhat surprisingly picked over Jorginho.


"The reason I played Billy is a choice," Lampard said, via the Star. "The two games Billy played before lockdown against Liverpool, probably the best team in the world, and Everton were fantastic."


However, The Sun now claims that Gilmour requires a 'minor op' on a damaged knee and, as a result, will miss Chelsea's remaining four Premier League games.


It is reported that Chelsea expect Gilmour to need two to three months to recover, ruling him out of the remainder of the Blues' Champions League and FA Cups campaigns as well, if accurate.


Frank Lampard had praised Gilmour's recent displays

The 2020/21 Premier League campaign is expected to start either at the end of August or beginning of September, meaning Gilmour will also be a doubt to start the new season as he regains fitness.


The Scot is the third Blues midfielder out of action currently, with both N'Golo Kante (thigh) and Mateo Kovacic (leg) sidelined.


The two more experienced stars are expected to return soon, however, and could be in line to face Sheffield United away on 11 July, or for the home visit of Norwich three days later.


With four league games remaining, there is still everything to play for for Chelsea, who are chasing Champions League qualification.


They sit third on 60 points, five clear of Manchester United in fifth and eight above Wolves in sixth.



Source : 90min