Billy Gilmour has revealed how getting ‘bullied’ by Manchester United defender Harry Maguire earlier this campaign was a major ‘learning curve’ in his development which helped him during the side’s 2-0 win over Liverpool.
The midfielder produced an eye-catching display in Tuesday night’s game at Stamford Bridge as goals from Willian and Ross Barkley sealed Chelsea’s place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Kepa impressed on his return to the side, but Gilmour was deservedly named man of the match for his outstanding performance in the midfield.
Frank Lampard has shown faith in Gilmour, handing him six appearances since the start of the campaign, and the young Scot has explained how an on-field run-in with Maguire stood him in good stead for the clash with Liverpool.
Reflecting on his tussles with Maguire in October, Gilmour said: ‘He is going to try and bully young ones and that’s where I need to learn in the game – how to be stronger.
‘I’ve been working on that and I can only get stronger. But that was a learning curve, definitely, when he gripped me up in the box. I remember that really well.
‘Basically he was saying I’m a wee guy. He was pushing me off, gripping me by the throat, and that’s something I have to deal with. But I won’t let that happen again, that’s for sure. That was a lesson.’
Frank Lampard has explained how the 18-year-old’s enormous character more than makes up for his ‘slight’ stature.
‘What an incredible performance from a young player against the best team in the land,’ Lampard said.
‘People might look at him and see he’s quite slight but he’s huge in personality.
‘He’s a throwback to the days of midfielders as I grew up, when people said, “Can you put your foot in?”, Yes, “can you make angles always to get the ball?”, Yes, “can you play the right pass and pick the simple one at the right time?”, Yes, and he’s got all that.’
Later at his post-match press conference, Lampard said: ‘I have absolute trust in him. ‘If he is small in stature, he is huge in personality and talent.’
