CHELSEA MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE IN THEIR £9 MILLION DEADLINE DAY TRANSFER, AS THE CESARE CASADEI DEAL DEMONSTRATES

As Chelsea rushed to sign a new midfielder before the transfer deadline, the all-too-familiar scenario of a player leaving Stamford Bridge with an unfulfilled future played out in the background. Billy Gilmour, unwanted and frozen out by Thomas Tuchel, packed his belongings and headed south to join Brighton in a £9 million transfer.

The Scotland international was once dubbed "Stamford Bridge's most promising young player" by Frank Lampard, who gave him his debut at the age of 18 during the 2019-20 season. Only three years later, the central midfielder is leaving for a fresh start - and few could blame him.

Gilmour had had a ruthless summer, having returned to Chelsea with the hope of impressing manager Tuchel in pre-season after a mixed loan spell with Norwich City. Instead, he was sent home with a group of other Blues youngsters to train with the Under-23 development squad.

It was decided that Gilmour, along with players like Harvey Vale and Tino Anjorin, would benefit from playing with the younger side while Tuchel tried to put his senior squad through their paces. But it was just the beginning of the German's lack of faith in a player who was starting crucial games for Chelsea only 18 months ago.

Billy Gilmour: The Scot was named man of the match against Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

Gilmour was the standout performer in one FA Cup match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, oozing confidence with every touch and leaving experienced stalwarts like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in their wake. Gilmour had the confidence and audacity to try a sublime nutmeg on Roberto Firmino at one point in the game, and he succeeded.

Fast forward to the summer of 2022, and Gilmour is nowhere near Chelsea's first-team plans. Tuchel did not even give him a squad number as he submitted his final list to the Premier League. That told Gilmour it was time to go, and Brighton, who had offered £9 million for the youngster, were only too happy to accept.

He would not be alone in his move to the Amex Stadium, as he would be joined by former Chelsea teammates Tariq Lamptey and Levi Colwill. While Lamptey decided to leave before being left in the cold, Colwill had impressed on loan at Huddersfield last season and was vying for a first-team spot this season.

While Todd Boehly has impressed with his decisive transfer market moves, backing Tuchel to the tune of £270 million, there is a depressing feeling that Chelsea is reverting to old habits by bringing in big-name players and abandoning the academy.

The Cobham production line is a legacy of Roman Abramovich's reign, and it is the same facility that propelled Mason Mount and Reece James to prominence, so ignoring talents like Gilmour who have been nurtured there seems short-sighted.

He had made 58 Chelsea appearances prior to his departure and was adored by the club's supporters, with calls for his recall falling on deaf ears.

But the question is why Chelsea is willing to spend £15 million on a player who has never played in the Premier League over a promising player with proven Premier League experience.

In any case, the Scot will have a fresh start with Brighton, a club where players appear to thrive under the savvy coach Graham Potter. It is a low-risk move for both the Seagulls and Gilmour, and one that Chelsea may come to regret if he lives up to his full potential.