Roberto De Zerbi gives two clear reasons why Billy Gilmour does not start for Brighton as Chelsea await

Billy Gilmour has struggled for game time at Brighton following his move from Premier League rivals Chelsea

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi insists Billy Gilmour has to improve to force his way into the starting XI

Gilmour has struggled for minutes on the pitch at Brighton following his £9m switch from Chelsea in the previous transfer window.

It’s been an unsettling time for the Scotland international as previous boss Graham Potter soon went the other way to join Chelsea and was replaced by Roberto De Zerbi.

Gilmour, 21, has made three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season – he came on in the 89th minute against Leicester, the 89th minute against Tottenham and had his longest run-out yet during the 3-1 loss at City yesterday as he was introduced on 87 minutes.

Potter and now De Zerbi have struggled to find a role for Gilmour so far as Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister have performed so well for Albion in the central midfield areas.

Gilmour will hope to be involved against his former club this Saturday at the Amex but any role could once again be limited from the bench.

"I really like Billy Gilmour,” said De Zerbi after the 3-1 loss at Manchester City. “I think he can improve a lot with us and for our work for next week.

"But Caicedo and Mac Allister are two big players for us. He has to find the space to play and I have to give him more space but it is difficult.

"We do not have Europa or Champions League, we have one game per week but there are many good young players. I am speaking Gilmour, Sarmiento and Lamptey. Lamptey played part of the game very well.”