Regarding Billy Gilmour’s transfer from Chelsea to Brighton during the summer transfer window, Graham Potter has come clean.
The Scotland international went permanently from Chelsea to Brighton before the head coach moved to Stamford Bridge because he wanted to play for Potter.
Gilmour played for Brighton under the Englishman for just one game before Thomas Tuchel was fired by Chelsea.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
To Gilmour’s dismay, Todd Boehly and the other Chelsea owners made Potter their top target and took action to sign the 47-year-old.
Gilmour couldn’t be loaned out since Levi Colwill was already out on the south coast, therefore Chelsea sold him without a buy-back clause.
Gilmour left his previous club to join Potter at Chelsea, and now Potter has spoken out about his choice to leave and the midfielder’s sadness in leaving.
“I guess the unpleasant thing about it is the timing of my opportunity here so close after the window closed,” Potter was reported as saying by football.london.
The head coach kept wishing Gilmour well and confessing that he did.
He declared: “That’s never a good idea. Of course, I wish him well, but it’s just a fact of life in sports.
“My initial thoughts about him were that he is a fantastic young man, a genuinely kind guy, and we are aware of his skill.
“Fingers crossed, I hope he can succeed there.”
Chelsea might consider bringing Gilmour back in the future if he performs well.
If Chelsea ever tries to bring Gilmour back, they may run into trouble in talks because there is no buy-back clause in the contract.
Marc Guehi was previously sold by the Blues to Crystal Palace with a sell-on clause.
The club gave itself an advantage in next transfer windows by including buy-back provisions in the sales of Tino Livramento and Tammy Abraham.
Colwill will return from his loan in the summer, allowing Potter to reunite with a player he kept trying to get for Brighton.
For the time being, Chelsea’s head coach wants to finish the year strong and re-qualify for the Champions League.