LUKE Gilchrist says he is happy to play wherever Mauricio Pochettino wants after stepping into the right-back role in yesterday’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Preston.
The 20-year-old’s preferred position is in central defence, but the academy graduate didn’t look at all out of place as a full-back against Championship opposition.
Gilchrist’s first start lasted just over an hour before he left the field to a standing ovation after being replaced by Thiago Silva.
He told Chelsea TV: “It means so much. Just hearing it I’m just like ‘Wow’.
“It’s crazy just being out there because last season I would have been up there in the West Stand watching it and just wanting to get on that pitch looking down there.
“And now it is the first game of the year and they are singing my name, so it is crazy!
“It makes me want to work even harder, just keep going and always be ready and available for whatever he (Poch) wants me to play, as a centre-back or right-back.”
Gilchrist has been training with the first team regularly this season, but believes his earlier experience with the youngsters playing against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy proved useful yesterday.
He explained: “I’m a bit tired because I haven’t played too much recently because I’ve been training with the first team.
“I’ve been just trying to keep fit as much as possible there.
“Obviously you can’t get your match fitness but you can try your best and when you get that opportunity you just need to be ready.”
Gilchrist added: “When I was playing with the 21s I always used to say that in the EFL Cup we have the trophy when we play against the men’s teams.
“They are always my favourite games because they are a challenge and I like it.
“I think that has helped me playing in the academy and then to come here showing I can do it against the men.”
Gilchrist’s versatility at the back will certainly do his chances of more first team action no harm and the youngster wants to keep learning on the training ground so he can step in where required.
He explained: “Normally I play centre back. I’ve played there before but I haven’t played there in a while, which showed when I got cramp today.
“You are kind of covering that position in training as well every day.
“Myself, I try to learn everyone’s roles so I can help them on the pitch as well.
“I think that has really helped me because when I talk to my right-back next to me I know what he should be doing, so I think ‘If I was the centre-back, what would I be saying to me?’.
“Then I just learn the role and keep going.”
