Billy Gilmour can become an 'absolutely huge player' for Brighton.
That's the verdict of former Celtic and Seagulls star Adam Virgo - who has backed the Scotland international to shine and earn a move back to English football's big boys. The former Rangers starlet left Chelsea on a permanent transfer for the fellow English Premier League outfit, but just days later his new boss Graham Potter was announced as the successor for his old gaffer Thomas Tuchel, who was axed by the Blues.
Virgo admits that the scenario that has played out is not ideal but says Brighton use a philosophy for signing players. That has brought the likes of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma to the club before being moved on for big money fees to Chelsea and Tottenham. The former Hoops man believes Gilmour could be the next one in line for that kind of transfer and his latest move could be a stepping stone for a return to the top, top sides.
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He's in no doubt the pint-sized midfielder will succeed and have a big part to play this season and even more so in the future after learning his trade at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Virgo said: “Of course it’s not ideal what’s just happened. You sign for one manager and there’s no guarantee you get on with the next one.
“But at Brighton, the manager who comes in has to work with the chairman Tony Bloom, the CEO Paul Barber and the philosophy they use to sign players.
“Brighton don’t look for massive reputations on massive contracts. They’re a club that scouts potential, finding Marc Cucurella for £16m, Yves Bissouma for £15m, and selling them on for a lot more. When you look at that policy, this could be a stepping stone for Billy to get back into those top-six clubs where he’s been with Chelsea.
“He’ll have learned a lot from being at Chelsea, playing with those players and for those managers.
“But the move to Brighton will improve him a whole lot more. This being a permanent signing gives Billy a bit more stability.
“I see him being a big player this season and an absolutely huge player in the seasons after. That’s when you’ll really see Billy’s qualities coming through.
“I’d be very surprised if Brighton pull away from the way Graham played. Whoever comes in is going to have Billy a big part of his plans.”
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