Norwich City manager Dean Smith says that Billy Gilmour's application and attitude are "second to none", which could give Chelsea's new ownership structure a pointer on his future.
Gilmour, 20, moved to East Anglia for a new challenge as the young Scotsman looks to develop his game away from Stamford Bridge ahead of a potential permanent spot opening up for him in Chelsea's first team roster.
The midfielder was one of many players to make up this season's 'loan army' with high-profile moves away from west London, with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja impressing at Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively.
It's fair to say that Gilmour has struggled to make a similar impact to that duo, with the Canaries' No.8 featuring sparingly in the early parts of 2021/22 under Daniel Farke.
Since Smith has taken over the reins from the German, Gilmour has only missed three of 16 games due to an ankle injury in January, starting 12 of those 13 appearances.
With only a few months left of the current campaign, Chelsea are facing a dilemma with their loanee, especially as they have no new owner confirmed as of yet.
"To have clarity is always better than uncertainty. But I have to say, we produced performances and results in times of global uncertainty and also club-wise. That makes us proud and maybe more important, it shows that we can trust in ourselves," Tuchel updated on the takeover latest in his pre-match press conference.
"It gives us a lot of trust in the culture of the club, the culture at Cobham. This gives us a good feeling. We have the culture and attitude right, we can focus even if things are uncertain. At the moment I have absolutely no more information than you for sure, no updates.”
With it still being unknown whether or not Nick Candy and a business partner or Muhsin Bayrak will acquire the club in the long-term or even perhaps the touted American consortium, the futures of the loan army members remain up in the air.
Will the new ownership set up continue to invest in the loan set up, or will the various players be viewed as monetary assets that could help any Roman Abramovich successor make quick and easy money?
Well, in regards to Gilmour, Smith has directly told any Chelsea owner why they should keep him at Stamford Bridge past this season in some capacity with his loan progress verdict.
Smith said via sister title Norfolk Live: "As a lad, his attitude and application is second to none.
"First out on the training ground and the last off. He has just got a love for football. He is well-liked within the dressing room by staff and players.
"He has come to a different type of football club and what I mean that is Chelsea go into most games and dominate possession, Norwich as a club, us going into the Premier League, there is going to be better (opposition) players than we have got in the (Norwich) squad at times.
"He has had to learn another side to the game and I think if you asked him he would say he has learnt and become a better all round player because of that."
