Scotland star Billy Gilmour is at something of an early career crossroads as a deflating season at Norwich comes to a close.
From the man who signed him being sacked to inflammatory chants telling him to go back to parent club Chelsea, there were red flags aplenty throughout a campaign that is set to come to a depressing end.
The Canaries' relegation was confirmed at the weekend and Gilmour was on the receiving end of more criticism as the yo-yo side of East Anglia make their way back down to the Championship once more.
Former Celtic man Tony Cascarino told talkSPORT: "The lad Gilmour that came to Norwich, didn’t do particularly well at the club, and the fans turned on him at the start of the season.
"He’s a terrific young footballer but, somehow, he’s not grown.
"We talk all the time about young lads going elsewhere and improving – the lad (Brandon) Williams as well from Man United – but they’ve gone backwards this year.
"Two players have gone there from big clubs and have gone backwards at Norwich."
So how can Gilmour move forwards? Record Sport weighs up the options.
Fight for his place
Gilmour will head back to Chelsea this summer and may have been encouraged by the re-emergence of academy product Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as chances afforded to the likes of Trevoh Chalobah.
Saul Niguez also looks likely to head back to Atletico Madrid after a disappointing loan spell, though boss Thomas Tuchel has not ruled out the prospect of him staying.
But even so, it's a crowded field. Gilmour would also need to displace the metronomic Jorginho, assuming he doesn't leave the club as has been rumoured, as well as N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley.
All that plus any new additions Tuchel decides to bring on board in the transfer window, though this summer may be about fixing up a defence that will definitely see Antonio Rudiger and likely Andreas Christensen depart. Cesar Azpilicueta's future is also up in the air.
It's not an impossible job for Gilmour and in a summer that will see a lot of upheaval with big name exits as well as club ownership changing hands the manager may be grateful he can count on the Scot.
Re-roll the dice
Let's be frank, moving to Norwich was a poor decision.
Tuchel felt learning under fellow German Daniel Farke was the best place for his midfielder but just months in the boss had been axed.
Dean Smith arrived and he fared no better in trying to rescue the Canaries and things turned toxic with that disgraceful clip that saw fans chanting "f*** off back to Chelsea".
But just because it didn't work out doesn't mean he should be discouraged from another loan move within the Premier League.
A move to forward-thinking Brentford or Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace would allow him to develop in a young team that plays with freedom – while keeping him in London.
Or what about Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard? The club are actively looking for new signings in midfield with Morgan Sanson to be jettisoned.
Linking up with Scotland pal John McGinn – who sang Gilmour's praises to his old boss Smith when he arrived at Carrow Road – could ignite a partnership we've already seen flourish in dark blue at the club level.
Find solace abroad
If Gilmour fancies refreshing his palate with the taste of a new footballing culture he won't need to ask around for long before he hears glowing references for Italy's Serie A.
Current Scotland team-mate Aaron Hickey is now one of the league's best young talents after opting for Bologna in the summer of 2020.
That move was an inspired decision and Champions League bound Napoli, who had a good season but fell just short in running the Milan clubs close for the Scudetto, are keen on taking him for £18million.
That's not all. Gilmour will also have noticed the likes of Stamford Bridge youth products Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori lighting it up at two famous names in world football.
Under Jose Mourinho at Roma, Abraham has racked up a cool 24 goals in his first season, including 15 in the league.
Tomori meanwhile is closing in on the title after leaving the loan life behind and setting up at AC Milan.
Would they tell him to take the jump if such an opportunity arose? You'd imagine so.
Ibrox?
A return to Rangers on loan after leaving aged 15 for £500k would no doubt delight fans and whenever Gilmour's future is brought up this is the question raised.
The Europa League run this term would no doubt help sell the club to his manager and others in charge of his development.
But this ship may have sailed. While an excellent player the burgeoning partnership of John Lundstram and Ryan Jack is something Gio van Bronckhorst may not want to disrupt.
We might not agree but those in charge at top Premier League clubs see the Scottish Premiership as substandard on the whole even if Gers are set to play a 14th Europa League game since the group stage on Thursday night.
Aaron Ramsey's arrival in January proved stranger things have happened but Gilmour replacing him next term seems unlikely for now.
