Gilmour’s season started slowly as he took time to recover from the knee injury sustained at Crystal Palace following the post-lockdown restart, with much of his pre-Christmas game time coming for our development squad. His return came in mid-November with a start in the EFL Trophy against Bristol Rovers, a game the young Blues lost 4-3, with Anjorin scoring twice.

The Scottish teenager then netted himself three days later against Manchester City’s youngsters in Premier League 2 before finally making his senior return as a late substitute in the Champions League victory over Sevilla after five months on the sidelines.

Building back

Most of the midfielder’s game time came in the cup competitions, with two-thirds of his 740 minutes played in 2020/21 coming in either the Champions League or FA Cup. He started his first game of the season in a European draw against Krasnodar, registering 90 minutes in a solid display alongside Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.

There were also four consecutive FA Cup starts from the third round onwards but the return to form and fitness of midfield colleagues meant a run in the team was limited. Yet Thomas Tuchel’s faith in his number 23 was undoubted, particularly when he started a crucial league encounter with Manchester City in early May.

Euros rollercoaster

Gilmour’s self-confidence, composure and forward passing from midfield caught the eye once again throughout a rollercoaster season, of which he missed almost half due to injury.

His rising credentials saw him rewarded with a place in the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of Euro 2020 and he starred on his first start for the national team against England, being named Star of the Match by UEFA, before his tournament came to an early end following a positive Covid-19 test.

Debuts for Tino

Anjorin’s action on the senior stage was more limited in 2020/21, though there was still plenty for the 19-year-old to be encouraged about as his star continued to rise at Stamford Bridge.

He made his Champions League debut in November against Krasnodar and then did the same in the FA Cup in the third round win over Morecambe, replacing Callum Hudson-Odoi for the final 10 minutes.

A regular part of Tuchel’s daily training group, the England youth international was also part of the travelling squad to Porto for the Champions League final. His brief on that occasion was just a watching one, though the sight of his team-mates playing on the biggest of stages will have been no less motivating.

Billy Gilmour 2020/21 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 11

Starts: 8

Substituted: 2

Unused sub: 19

Minutes played: 740

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Tino Anjorin 2020/21 Chelsea stats

Appearances: 3

Starts: 1

Substituted: 1

Unused sub: 4

Minutes played: 119

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Billy Gilmour Premier League appearances 2020/21

Billy Gilmour played five games in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, three of the them from the start.

Billy Gilmour Champions League appearances 2020/21

Billy Gilmour made two appearances in the Champions League this season.

Billy Gilmour FA Cup appearances 2020/21

Billy Gilmour played four games in the FA Cup this season.

Billy Gilmour Carabao Cup appearances 2020/21

Billy Gilmour did not play in the Carabao Cup this season.

Billy Gilmour goals 2020/21

Billy Gilmour did not score any goals for Chelsea this season.

Tino Anjorin Premier League appearances 2020/21

Tino Anjorin did not appear in the Premier League for Chelsea this season.

Tino Anjorin Champions League appearances 2020/21

Tino Anjorin played one game in the Champions League this season.

Tino Anjorin FA Cup appearances 2020/21

Tino Anjorin made two appearances in the FA Cup this season, both as a substitute.

Tino Anjorin Carabao Cup appearances 2020/21

Tino Anjorin did not play in the Carabao Cup this season.

Tino Anjorin goals 2020/21

Tino Anjorin did not score any goals for Chelsea this season.