Billy Gilmour is likely to embark on another loan spell next season and leave Chelsea this summer.
Thomas Tuchel has reportedly cut the 21-year-old and Armando Broja from his first-team squad during the Blues' pre-season tour of America. Football London claim that Gilmour will join up with the Blues' development squad as he sorts out his future at Stamford Bridge.
It appears Gilmour is not part of Tuchel's plans as the German boss has a host of talented midfielders at his disposal. Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley, Connor Gallagher, Matteo Kovacic and Mason Mount are all above Gilmour in the pecking order.
It is just over two years since Gilmour burst onto the scene, putting in a Man of the Match display against Liverpool in the FA Cup, before impressing in a 4-0 win over Everton five days later. It was a set of performances that were described as "world-class" by Roy Keane. Gilmour has since dropped off and follows a number of wonderkids who fell away. So, with that in mind, here are three notable players who have fallen away from the top.
Federico Macheda
The Italian made his mark in a Manchester United shirt against Aston Villa on 5 April 2009. With United 2-1 down, manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought Macheda on to replace Nani with just over half an hour to go. After Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for United in the 80th minute, Macheda won the match with a turn to evade his marker followed by a curling effort from just inside the penalty area in the third minute of injury-time.
However, the forward scored just four more goals for the Red Devils, before spending time at the likes of QPR, Stuttgart, and Birmingham City on loan. Macheda joined Cardiff City on a permanent deal in 2014 and has since had spells at Nottingham Forest, Novaro and Panathinaikos.
Ben Woodburn
A tricky winger, Woodburn came through the ranks at Liverpool and made his first-team debut against Sunderland on 26 November 2016. Upon doing so, Woodburn became the Reds' third-youngest debutant of all time at the age of 17 years and 42 days, and the club's second youngest in the Premier League behind Jack Robinson. Three days later, he became Liverpool's youngest goalscorer by netting in a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Leeds United.
However, this was as good as it got for Woodburn in a Liverpool shirt as he got sent out on loan to Sheffield United, Oxford United, Blackpool and Hearts. Following the expiry of his Reds contract last month, Woodburn joined Preston North End and penned a one-year deal.
Ravel Morrison
Another product of the United academy, Morrison was tipped to become the next superstar and at the age of 17, Ferguson "thought he was the best player he had seen at that age". In May 2011, he scored twice in the second leg of the Youth Cup final against Sheffield United as the Red Devils went on to win the competition. Morrison, however, made just three first-team appearances before joining West Ham United in 2012.
Morrison failed to live up to his potential at the Hammers and scored just five times in 24 appearances across his three-year spell at Upton Park. The Jamaican has since had spells at Cardiff City, QPR, Birmingham, Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Ten Hag, before signing for Derby County in 2021.
His time at the Rams proved to arguably be his most successful in his career, with the player playing 39 times last term - the most he has played in a single season. The 29-year-old is currently a free agent after his contract expired.
Hachim Mastour
A talented attacking midfielder, Mastour's wonderkid status robbed him of his most important development years. The Moroccan made it into AC Milan's first team as a 14-year-old and a two-year loan to Malaga seemed sensible.
But Mastour never actually got consistent football throughout his late teens and instead had his confidence destroyed. Once filming ads with Neymar as a kid, he joined Greek side Lamia upon the expiry of his Milan contract in 2018. He has since appeared for Reggina, Carpi and now plays Moroccan second-tier side Renaissance Zemamra.
