Thomas
Tuchel has confirmed Chelsea could cut short Billy Gilmour's loan spell at
Norwich, but has urged the midfielder to embrace the challenge of earning
more playing time at Carrow Road.
Norwich overcame competition from several Premier League sides to sign
Gilmour in July on a season-long loan, but the 20-year-old Scotland
international has fallen out of favour under manager Daniel Farke, who said
last month that Norwich are not "here to develop players for other clubs".
After starting four of Norwich's first five Premier League games this
season, Gilmour hasn't played for the Canaries in the following five league
fixtures, with his most recent appearance coming in September's Carabao Cup
defeat to Liverpool.
Tuchel admits that Gilmour's loan is not going as his parent club had hoped,
but is adamant there is plenty of time to turn the situation around.
"I spoke to Daniel (Farke) and Billy (Gilmour) about the situation and we
will make the decision in January," Thomas Tuchel said.
"He left looking for more minutes and game time at another club and the
challenge is for him to fight his way through.
"Things are not going as well as he perhaps hoped but it's not the moment to
cancel the whole project or open talks to bring him back.
"Sometimes these weeks and months arrive when the situation doesn't seem to
be going the right way - you just have to hang in there and show your
quality and make sure you help your team, no matter how.
"That sharpens the character and I am sure it will be a big chapter in
Billy's career.
"It is only the start of November and there are still months to go and a lot
of time to prove he has enough quality to help Norwich be a better team."
Norwich manager Daniel Farke says on-loan Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour
is happy at Carrow Road despite having limited playing time in recent weeks
Tuchel also offered advice to Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi, who
remained at the club over the summer despite requesting a move amid concerns
over playing time.
The 20-year-old was used sparsely over the opening weeks of the season, but
a series of injuries in forward positions have seen him start three of the
Blues last four Premier League games, all of which have resulted in
victories.
With Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Mason Mount all still unavailable,
Hudson-Odoi's run in the starting XI could continue, with the Premier League
leaders set to take on Burnley on Saturday at Stamford Bridge ahead of the
international break.
On Hudson-Odoi, Tuchel said: "We didn't let him leave because we are
building a squad and Callum (Hudson-Odoi) is a piece in that puzzle.
"He thought it might be a bit easier to get minutes at another club but I
told him straight that we rely on him, he accepted his role within the team.
"There is huge progress he can make within this group and within this club
but he had a very good pre-season, struggled a bit at the beginning of the
season to prove himself but now has shown up and delivered.
"To get a place in this team it is all about performance and this is what
Callum is showing at the moment and it is important he continues to be
consistent, stays hungry and keeps progressing."
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