CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel has challenged Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour to fight for his place at Norwich City and insists he is not even thinking about recalling the player from his loan in January.

Gilmour has not played a single minute in the Canaries’ last three games and will not be able to face his parent club in today’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

It has been a different story at national level with the 20-year-old having started six of the last Scotland games that he has been available for.

However, Tuchel has backed fellow German and Norwich boss Daniel Farke’s decision not to play the talented youngster and instead told Gilmour he needs to prove he is good enough to start games at the Carrow Road club.

Tuchel said: “In general, I love Billy, I’ve always loved him. He was a big factor - maybe not in the full spotlight - for last season when we came here.

“He decided to go for a better chance to have some minutes and we thought that was important. 

“First of all, I want him to perform. It’s more or less the same for how you make it into our team, by pure performance. 

“If you decide to go on loan then it is as simple as that and I don’t mean to be harsh, you need to perform, you need to be on the pitch. 

“You have to be the top player, no matter where you go, if you want to make it back here and improve your status. 

“He is our player, we love Billy, we are aware of what he can do but changing club is always a risk and a new step. 

“It can also be a positive to overcome adversity. Now is not the time to talk about coming back, it’s time to fight for his place and show what he can do. 

“We trust him that he can play a role and of course nobody is obliged to play our players. No coach in the world will leave his best players out, so that’s what he needs to prove, that Norwich is a better team with him in. 

“I trust that he can do it and hopefully he does not lose this trust in himself and can turn things around again.”