Thomas Tuchel 'not thinking about loan exit for Billy Gilmour'

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has hinted that he will not allow Billy Gilmour to leave the club on loan in the final stages of the January window.

The 19-year-old has worked his way back from a serious knee injury in recent weeks but was left out of the squad against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night in the team's first match under their new head coach.

There have been suggestions that Gilmour could be allowed to leave on a short-term basis in order to secure regular football in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign.

Tuchel has revealed that he wants to keep hold of the Scotland Under-21s international but is unsure whether he has the "physical level" to play on a regular basis in England's top flight.

"I have a good impression. He is a very strategic guy, very high level of game understanding. Very good in the first contact. Very clever in positioning," Tuchel told reporters.

"We will see if he has the physical level to compete in the centre of the field in the most physical league in the world. We will see that. But he is super quick, super-fast with his feet, super-fast with decision making and very good in positioning.

"For me, we have 21 or 22 outfield players available, playing three competitions, there is absolutely no need to get rid of players."

Gilmour has made six first-team appearances for Chelsea during the 2020-21 campaign.