Daniel Farke makes surprise Billy Gilmour playing time admission
By Max Cooper
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke believes he is under 'no pressure' to play Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour, stating that the Scotland international must earn his place in the side as he failed to feature once again in the 0-0 draw with Brighton.
The 20-year-old has already demonstrated he can cut it at the highest level on the international stage with Scotland, yet he has been left on the bench in four of the Canaries' eight Premier League fixtures so far - including the stalemate with the Seagulls.
But Farke brushed off any suggestions that he is under pressure to hand Chelsea starlet Gilmour minutes prior to the Brighton clash, challenging the youngster to 'step up to it' and prove he's worthy of a place in the Norwich team.
“There is no pressure (to play them). We are not here to develop players for other clubs, we are here to win points for this club,” Farke began (via The Independent).
“It is not about Billy Gilmour, about Brandon Williams (on loan from Manchester United), Kenny McLean or Temmu Pukki who are our players – we just like to play with the players to win points.
“This is also the challenge our loan players want to have – it is not like they want to play just because we have loaned them and they (parent clubs) want them to play many games.”
Farke continued to defend his decision to exclude Gilmour of late, using Oliver Skipp as an example of a young loanee who made the most of his time at Carrow Road, and has gone on to impress at parent club Tottenham Hotspur this year.
“Of course we have shown a lot that we can develop young players, help them to find the next step, if they are our own players or loan players, like Oliver Skipp, who is right now playing at a different level.
“Also the big clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, they do not want it easy for their players. They want to be Manchester United, Chelsea or Tottenham players one day, so they need to face a challenge and step up to it.”
Both Norwich and Chelsea supporters may be less inclined to side with Farke on this occasion, as Gilmour has regularly stepped up to the task for club and country during his short career.
The youngster shone during a smattering of appearances for the Blues last season, and convinced Thomas Tuchel to send him out on loan to gain some precious first team experience. However, the loan spell with bottom of the table Norwich is not exactly going to plan.