Read on Twitter
Billy Gilmour - 2019/2020 - Scouting Report.
This thread will be a three part series, analysing three key aspects of Gilmour’s game, with this first one analysing his effectiveness and movement within possession.
The next two threads will be posted soon, enjoy.
The next two threads will be posted soon, enjoy.
Chelsea’s class of ‘19 includes several players with very high potential, but the one starlet who’s only now beginning to make waves within the Premier League is the 18 year old Billy Gilmour.
Dubbed “the Scottish Iniesta” by Chelsea fans, Gilmour has only appeared on 7 occasions this season, but has shown glimpses of his strong technical ability and positional awareness each time, which is what I’ll be explaining in this scouting report.
Extremely effective in possession:
One of Gilmour’s main attributes is his ability to hardly ever waste the ball when in possession. Every time he receives the ball, his first instinct is to take it into space in order to decrease the chance of becoming dispossessed.
One of Gilmour’s main attributes is his ability to hardly ever waste the ball when in possession. Every time he receives the ball, his first instinct is to take it into space in order to decrease the chance of becoming dispossessed.
Similarly to Andrea Pirlo, Gilmour constantly scans the pitch to ensure he knows what his next movement is going to be and before he even receives the ball.
This scatter graph epitomises Gilmour’s game and the importance of scanning the pitch to ensure he doesn’t lose the ball.
This scatter graph epitomises Gilmour’s game and the importance of scanning the pitch to ensure he doesn’t lose the ball.
As you can see, although not the largest sample size, Gilmour is the least wasteful in terms of passing and, on average, is dispossessed 5.7 times a game, which is very impressive for a player of his age playing in a high intensity division like the Premier League.
So, how is he so effective when progressing the ball?
Movement (off the ball) is a key aspect for Gilmour in terms of keeping possession and fooling the opposition into giving him time and space.
Movement (off the ball) is a key aspect for Gilmour in terms of keeping possession and fooling the opposition into giving him time and space.
Gilmour’s movement within the play above is one of the main reasons why he’s rated by pundits and players alike.
As you can see, Gilmour is looking over his shoulder, scanning the pitch in order to analyse how much space and time he’d have on the ball if he was to receive it.
As you can see, Gilmour is looking over his shoulder, scanning the pitch in order to analyse how much space and time he’d have on the ball if he was to receive it.
He quickly notices that he’s trapped and boxed in by Origi, Minamino, Jones and Lallana, meaning if he was to receive the Rüdiger he’d instantly be hounded down and dispossessed.
So, in order to give himself more time, he makes a very short burst of pace in between...
So, in order to give himself more time, he makes a very short burst of pace in between...
Minamino and Origi which forces both Curtis Jones and Lallana away as they feel Gilmour is now their responsibility.
This small burst of pace created so much room in-between the first line of defence and the midfield.
This small burst of pace created so much room in-between the first line of defence and the midfield.
After making the sprint in-between Minamino and Origi in order to push Jones and Lallana away, Gilmour then runs backwards into that space created due to his initial movement.
Rüdiger then plays a simple line-breaking pass through the first line of defence...
Rüdiger then plays a simple line-breaking pass through the first line of defence...
and due to Gilmour’s movement and constant scanning of the pitch, has a lot of room in-between the lines (the first line of defence and the midfield, as I mentioned).
As you can see, after the pass is played, Jones then realised that he’s given too much space to Gilmour (due to Gilmour’s movement) and attempts to sprint to close him down, but due to the Scot’s constant scanning and awareness of the pitch...
he already knows Azpilicueta is the clear passing option out wide, meaning Curtis Jones is too late and has therefore left Fabinho with no defensive assistance within midfield.
A masterclass in movement from our Scottish starboy, Billy Gilmour.
A masterclass in movement from our Scottish starboy, Billy Gilmour.
