Omari Hutchinson is back at Chelsea after Ipswich’s promotion – but what happens next?
Chelseahave not wasted much time in summoning Omari Hutchinsonback to Cobham to watch him first-hand in training and conduct an important conversation or two face-to-face.
It has been an exciting few days for the 20-year-old forward. On Saturday, Hutchinson put in yet another man-of-the-match display for loan club Ipswich Townto help them beat Huddersfield Town2-0. The result sparked wild celebrations as Ipswich won automatic promotion back to the Premier League, ending a 22-year spell playing outside England’s top division.
On Monday, Hutchinson joined the Ipswich squad and coaching staff for a celebratory bus parade around the town. In the evening, he attended an end-of-season dinner where he collected the club’s Young Player of the Year trophy. After a return of 11 goals and six assists from 50 appearances during his season-long loan, the award was thoroughly deserved.
So what happens next?
Well, his work for the campaign is not over. Chelsea have asked him to report back to the building next week so an extended break is on hold. For Hutchinson, a return to his parent club will provide an opportunity to ask some important questions and gauge what he should do with the next phase of his career. Importantly, among the important personnel on site, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will run the rule over him in training and speak to him about the future.
There is no rush for any concrete decisions to be made. Shortly after the final whistle sounded at Portman Road at the weekend, Hutchinson was asked by Sky Sports if he wanted to return to Ipswich on loan for 2024-25. “I hope so,” he replied. “I don’t know, we will see what the manager is saying and my agent. Right now, I am going to celebrate — I do not know what to do.”
Ipswich fans should not get too carried away by the initial “hope so” response just yet. Emotions were running high at that particular moment and the youngster does have a genuinely strong affection for the club. But it is over the next weeks and months that more serious deliberation will take place. His mind is certainly not made up.
Going back to Ipswich is a strong possibility. Hutchinson has thrived there, enjoying the positive environment of a family club on the up. It would be a less pressurised environment than Chelsea to spend a first full season as a member of a senior squad competing in the Premier League — Hutchinson made one Premier League appearance for Chelsea in 2022-23, as a substitute against Manchester City, but was regarded as a member of the under-21s setup.
Yet Ipswich will be among the favourites to be relegated next term. Hutchinson will surely find it a lot tougher to get on the ball and express himself as he has done so impressively in the Championship.
Ipswich’s ability to keep Kieran McKenna as head coach will also be a significant factor.
The Northern Irishman’s achievement in securing successive promotions has attracted admiring glances from elsewhere.
Hutchinson has enjoyed a close bond with McKenna ever since the Ipswich coach gave an impressive presentation about how he would use and improve the young attacker when pitching last summer for him to join them on loan. There were other suitors but McKenna made the difference. If he is lured away, Ipswich’s task in persuading the youngster to return to Portman Road instantly becomes a lot harder.
They are not the only ones who want Hutchinson on loan. Other clubs, including some from the Premier League, have already contacted Chelsea to express an interest — a further indication of how his performances have gained recognition.
Chelsea will have to consider extending his contract if they decide to loan him out again. Hutchinson has just one year left on his deal with the option for a further 12 months. It would leave them in a vulnerable position next summer if they do not. But no formal discussions have taken place as yet.
Alternatively, Chelsea could decide to keep him. Hutchinson is expected to go on the club’s pre-season tour to the United States in July, and that will provide him with a platform upon which to impress. However, after playing regularly for Ipswich, he will not want to upset the momentum by becoming a bit-part figure at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are blessed with players who can play on the flanks or as a No 10. This season, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemekaand Conor Gallagherhave all operated in both or one of those roles.
With Chelsea needing to offload players to help comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) as well as funding new purchases, the possibility of Hutchinson being sold to the highest bidder cannot be ruled out.
He joined from Arsenalin 2022 as a free agent after his contract expired across the capital, albeit compensation was agreed because he was a homegrown player under the age of 24. But, even with Arsenal due a percentage of any future transfer fee, Chelsea can make a healthy profit with a sale. But it would be a surprise if they decided to cash in now when his potential to improve and become more valuable is all too clear.
Just to add to the challenging choices Hutchinson has to make, he also has to decide whether to commit to playing for Jamaica or Englandat international level. Jamaicawant to include him in the squad for the Copa Americanext month. He has won two caps, both in friendlies, so the door is still ajar for him to switch to England. But playing for Jamaica at Copa America will end that as a possibility.
England have made it clear they want Hutchinson to stay available for them but, as at Chelsea, the competition to go on to play for the senior side is far more intense. Another difficult decision awaits. Still, at a stage in the season when plenty of young players are informed they are to be released, Hutchinson will certainly not complain.
He is a wanted man.
https://theathletic.com/5476659/2024/05/08/omari-hutchinson-chelsea-ipswich/
Omari Hutchinson is back at Chelsea after Ipswich’s promotion – but what happens next?
Chelseahave not wasted much time in summoning Omari Hutchinsonback to Cobham to watch him first-hand in training and conduct an important conversation or two face-to-face.
It has been an exciting few days for the 20-year-old forward. On Saturday, Hutchinson put in yet another man-of-the-match display for loan club Ipswich Townto help them beat Huddersfield Town2-0. The result sparked wild celebrations as Ipswich won automatic promotion back to the Premier League, ending a 22-year spell playing outside England’s top division.
On Monday, Hutchinson joined the Ipswich squad and coaching staff for a celebratory bus parade around the town. In the evening, he attended an end-of-season dinner where he collected the club’s Young Player of the Year trophy. After a return of 11 goals and six assists from 50 appearances during his season-long loan, the award was thoroughly deserved.
So what happens next?
Well, his work for the campaign is not over. Chelsea have asked him to report back to the building next week so an extended break is on hold. For Hutchinson, a return to his parent club will provide an opportunity to ask some important questions and gauge what he should do with the next phase of his career. Importantly, among the important personnel on site, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will run the rule over him in training and speak to him about the future.
There is no rush for any concrete decisions to be made. Shortly after the final whistle sounded at Portman Road at the weekend, Hutchinson was asked by Sky Sports if he wanted to return to Ipswich on loan for 2024-25. “I hope so,” he replied. “I don’t know, we will see what the manager is saying and my agent. Right now, I am going to celebrate — I do not know what to do.”
Ipswich fans should not get too carried away by the initial “hope so” response just yet. Emotions were running high at that particular moment and the youngster does have a genuinely strong affection for the club. But it is over the next weeks and months that more serious deliberation will take place. His mind is certainly not made up.
Going back to Ipswich is a strong possibility. Hutchinson has thrived there, enjoying the positive environment of a family club on the up. It would be a less pressurised environment than Chelsea to spend a first full season as a member of a senior squad competing in the Premier League — Hutchinson made one Premier League appearance for Chelsea in 2022-23, as a substitute against Manchester City, but was regarded as a member of the under-21s setup.
Yet Ipswich will be among the favourites to be relegated next term. Hutchinson will surely find it a lot tougher to get on the ball and express himself as he has done so impressively in the Championship.
Ipswich’s ability to keep Kieran McKenna as head coach will also be a significant factor.
The Northern Irishman’s achievement in securing successive promotions has attracted admiring glances from elsewhere.
Hutchinson has enjoyed a close bond with McKenna ever since the Ipswich coach gave an impressive presentation about how he would use and improve the young attacker when pitching last summer for him to join them on loan. There were other suitors but McKenna made the difference. If he is lured away, Ipswich’s task in persuading the youngster to return to Portman Road instantly becomes a lot harder.
They are not the only ones who want Hutchinson on loan. Other clubs, including some from the Premier League, have already contacted Chelsea to express an interest — a further indication of how his performances have gained recognition.
Chelsea will have to consider extending his contract if they decide to loan him out again. Hutchinson has just one year left on his deal with the option for a further 12 months. It would leave them in a vulnerable position next summer if they do not. But no formal discussions have taken place as yet.
Alternatively, Chelsea could decide to keep him. Hutchinson is expected to go on the club’s pre-season tour to the United States in July, and that will provide him with a platform upon which to impress. However, after playing regularly for Ipswich, he will not want to upset the momentum by becoming a bit-part figure at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are blessed with players who can play on the flanks or as a No 10. This season, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemekaand Conor Gallagherhave all operated in both or one of those roles.
With Chelsea needing to offload players to help comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) as well as funding new purchases, the possibility of Hutchinson being sold to the highest bidder cannot be ruled out.
He joined from Arsenalin 2022 as a free agent after his contract expired across the capital, albeit compensation was agreed because he was a homegrown player under the age of 24. But, even with Arsenal due a percentage of any future transfer fee, Chelsea can make a healthy profit with a sale. But it would be a surprise if they decided to cash in now when his potential to improve and become more valuable is all too clear.
Just to add to the challenging choices Hutchinson has to make, he also has to decide whether to commit to playing for Jamaica or Englandat international level. Jamaicawant to include him in the squad for the Copa Americanext month. He has won two caps, both in friendlies, so the door is still ajar for him to switch to England. But playing for Jamaica at Copa America will end that as a possibility.
England have made it clear they want Hutchinson to stay available for them but, as at Chelsea, the competition to go on to play for the senior side is far more intense. Another difficult decision awaits. Still, at a stage in the season when plenty of young players are informed they are to be released, Hutchinson will certainly not complain.
He is a wanted man.
https://theathletic.com/5476659/2024/05/08/omari-hutchinson-chelsea-ipswich/
