Billy Gilmour has admitted he was expecting to be loaned out this season after Chelsea signed a host of new stars, but is happy to stay and fight for a first-team place.
The Scottish midfield talent, just 19, picked up 11 senior appearances for Chelsea last season, benefiting from manager Frank Lampard's penchant for playing homegrown talented youngsters in the first team. But he admitted that his success has come sooner than expected.
'I never thought I would be where I am just now. I thought maybe the next year I would go on loan, Gilmour told the Four Lads Had A Dream Podcast.