Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour is reportedly set to be sent out on loan again for the 2022-23 season.
The 21-year-old departed temporarily for Norwich City last term and was a regular under Dean Smith, but he failed to keep the Canaries afloat in the Premier League.
Gilmour ended the 2021-22 season with two assists from 28 games in all competitions - starting 21 Premier League games for Norwich prior to their demotion.
The Scotland international has since returned to Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea extended his contract until the summer of 2024 last month.
Gilmour was on the plane with the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, but he was not involved in the Blues' opening pre-season fixture - a 2-1 success over Club America on Saturday.
© Reuters
Gilmour has now been released from Chelsea's first-team squad, and according to the Daily Mail, he is now preparing for another loan spell away from the club.
The report adds that Gilmour will continue to train with the Blues' Under-23s in Salt Lake City and is expected to play at least one game for the youth team before the end of the month.
Thomas Tuchel recently confirmed Gilmour's exit from the first team at a press conference, while Tino Anjorin, Armando Broja and Harvey Vale have also departed.
"I would have loved to have had everybody here because Tino, Harvey and Billy had trained at a very high level and it would also have been nice to see them in some matches," Tuchel said.
"But in the end we had to take the decision to keep the quality high in training so we decided for 24 players as a maximum and that's why we went a bit smaller."
© Reuters
Gilmour has represented Chelsea's first team on 22 occasions since coming through their youth setup, but he is still waiting for his first goal contribution at senior level for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Broja is expected to join West Ham United on a permanent deal, but Tuchel claimed that the striker left the camp after sustaining an ankle injury.
"Armando had to travel home. He had a little accident in training. He twisted his ankle and he needs further examinations and treatments in London," Tuchel added.
"It did not make sense to just have him as an additional player because we need all capacities of treatment for the guys who are actually fit and on the pitch so the best way for him to get the best treatment and as soon as possible back on the pitch was to leave for London."
Chelsea continue their pre-season schedule with Wednesday's showdown with Charlotte before the Florida Cup contest with Arsenal at the weekend.
Ben Knapton
