Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has challenged Billy Gilmour to win his place back in the Norwich City starting lineup.
Gilmour, who is on a season-long loan at Carrow Road, has not featured for the Canaries since the 3-0 home defeat against Liverpool on September 21.
With Daniel Farke insisting that it is not his job to develop players from other clubs, there has been talk of Gilmour returning to Stamford Bridge in January.
However, ahead of Saturday's fixture between the two clubs at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel has called on the Scotland international to do more to earn a recall to the team.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Tuchel said: "I love Billy. I always loved him. He was a big factor, even when not in the full spotlight last season. When we came, he decided to go and have a better chance to have some minutes, and we thought that was important.
"I want him to perform. To make it into our team, it's by pure performance. If you go out on loan, you need to perform, you need to be on the pitch and be the top player, no matter where you go, if you want to make it back here.
"He's our back, we love Billy, and we are aware of what he can do. Changing a club is also a risk and a huge step, and it can be a positive if he needs to overcome adversity.
"Now is not the time to talk about coming back, now is the time to fight for his place and show what he can do. No coach in the world will leave the best players out, and that is what he needs to prove."
Gilmour is ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday, the 20-year-old not coming back into contention until the meeting with Leeds United on October 31.
Darren Plant
