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Billy Gilmour to be handed Chelsea start by Frank Lampard against Man Utd in Carabao Cup
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is set to hand teenager Billy Gilmour a start against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup tonight.
The 18-year-old has impressed the Chelsea manager in training and according to the Daily Record, he has been included in the starting line-up despite his lack of first-team football.
This won’t be Gilmour’s competitive debut for the Blues as he has already played a full match for Chelsea during their 7-1 win over Grimsby Town in the third-round of the Carabao Cup.
His only other appearance for the Blues was a six-minute cameo role, when he came off the bench during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield United at the beginning of the season.
However, the game against Manchester United will be by far the biggest game of his career.
They are a mature young team
The last time the two teams met was at the beginning of the season when United beat Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford.
However, since then Chelsea have discovered their form while United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen his side’s performances falter.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League after 10 games and are seven points ahead of United who are seventh.
And while both managers look to find a balance between using experienced stars and developing their youngster, Solskjaer has admitted his counterpart is in a stronger position of the two managers.
Chelsea: Lampard says team 'hasn't changed that much'
“It [Chelsea] is a very exciting team,” Solskjaer said.
“Frank has got players that have been on loan for one or two seasons in the Championship.
“The difference between my youngsters is that they are almost stepping right now onto the scene.
“Axel Tuanzebe has missed the last couple of games for us [through injury] but he has been out on loan and you can see the benefit and I think Chelsea’s young players benefit from that now.
“They are a mature young team.”
However, while Solskjaer and United made the decision to choose youth over experience, Chelsea’s hand has been slightly forced due to the current transfer ban imposed on the club.
The Blues were given a two-window transfer ban, of which one window has already been served last summer, after FIFA deemed they had breached rules in relation to signing young players.
And while they cannot sign any players, Lampard has used the opportunity to blood the younger talent within the squad.
And although some have had more chances than Gilmour, he could easily make a name for himself with a good display in against United tonight.