Chelsea midfielder knows he is on borrowed time after being banished to U23s

Billy Gilmour must feel like that kid in primary school who was always the last person to be chosen for a team – the one that the picker didn’t want in their side, and hoped he was the last pick for the other team.

Scottish international Gilmour had hoped to be in head coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the first team this season.

But while out in the US, where the team are on pre-season training, he has been told to go and train with the U23s unlike Ross Barkley and a number of other players, who have no future at the club but retain a market value.

Gilmour, 21, must know that his time is probably up under Tuchel.

The club makes no secret of what they expect from their young players who they loan out – especially to another Premier League club.

That move is viewed as the final hurdle to decision-time at SW6. They are told that they must return to the Bridge after being the best player of that club.

In Gilmour’s case that was at relegated Norwich City, where he failed to nail down a regular place let alone be the shining canary.

Compare him to Conor Gallagher, who played so well and consistently on loan at Crystal Palace that he forced himself into the full England squad. Gallagher can feel confident that the minimum he will get this season at SW6 is a starting place on the bench and regular action in the cups, including the Champions League.

Gilmour will have the option of another loan deal – Everton could make a play for him or he could ask for a permanent move like Armando Broja, who after a great season on loan at Southampton, now has a £30million transfer fee with West Ham United keen to land the striker.

When centre-back target Nathan Ake weighed up his playing chances if he returned to Stamford Bridge, he felt he had a fair shake of playing on a regular basis.

But once he got wind that the signing of defender Kalidou Koulibaly was not going to be the end of new signings in that position, he opted to stay at champions Manchester City.

Chelsea are close to taking Spanish outfit Sevilla’s young defender Jules Kounde for about £55m. A deal could be announced today. The French defender, 23, was wanted by the Blues last season, but the clubs failed to agree a fee.

Now it appears co-owner Todd Boehly has flexed his financial muscle to give Tuchel his two main replacements for Toni Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Chelsea have scooped up a young talent  this week who will be instantly farmed out to continue her development at another club – with Bristol City and Charlton Athletic possible destinations.

Lucy Watson, 18, has signed a two-year contract with the Blues, joining from Sheffield United. Barnsley-born Watson said: “I am so proud to have signed for a huge club like Chelsea. I am very excited to continue my development and see what the future holds for me.

“Thank you [head coach] Emma Hayes and the team for giving me this opportunity.’

Hayes said: “Lucy is one of the best young attacking players in the country, so we are delighted that she has joined the club.

“We have followed Lucy’s development for some time since her time at Donny Belles, where [assistant manager] Paul Green had coached previously and it’s clear she has natural talent and ability.

“Lucy has developed really well at Sheffield United and we now feel she is ready to make the next step. In the short term, we’ll be looking to send her out on loan to ensure she gains valuable game time.”

Watson is Chelsea’s fourth signing this summer following the arrival of Eve Perisset, Kadeisha Buchanan and Katerina Svitkova.