Omari Hutchinson admits Reece James played a role in convincing him to join Chelsea last year.
Omari Hutchinson, who spent several years in Arsenal’s academy as a youngster, made the move across London in 2022 to join Chelsea.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is a real box of tricks and someone with huge potential.
He’s played a couple of games in the Blues first team, but he’s currently spending this 2023/24 campaign on a season-long loan at Ipswich Town. Incidentally, Ipswich are second in the Championship table and in the thick of an automatic promotion battle.
Chelsea influence
It’s interesting to hear that Chelsea captain Reece James, 23, actually had a hand to play in Hutchinson’s transfer to Stamford Bridge. The pair were already connected, and James pitched the idea of joining the Blues.
Hutchinson told The Athletic: “I was at Arsenal from 11 to playing for the under-23s. I have a lot of friends there and obviously the coaching staff, so it was a difficult decision to leave. I always felt loved there. All the fans were waiting for me to push on into the first team. But things didn’t just work out for one reason or another.
“I just had to get over stuff like that. I spoke to the people at Chelsea, saw the pathway they had for me, knew the staff there and some of the players. I already knew Reece James and he told me to come. Everyone gave Chelsea a positive review. I believe it has worked out so far.”
Omari Hutchinson quality
We really like what we’ve seen from rising star Hutchinson, who’s a left-footed playmaker that can play in wide or central attacking positions.
He’s in and out of a very strong Ipswich XI this season, but he’s getting some valuable minutes and development at Portman Road. The Chelsea loanee has two goals and three assists in 19 Ipswich appearances across all competitions so far this term.
Speaking via the East Anglian Daily Times earlier in the season, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna raved about the progress of Hutchinson in such a short space of time.
We’re excited to see how close he can push for a spot in Chelsea’s senior squad by the time next summer’s pre-season comes around.
From all crop of talented youngster loaned out by Chelsea this season, Hutchinson may be one of the best placed to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s plans further down the line.
