Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson has been named Ipswich Town’s Young Player of the Year after scoring 10 goals and assisting six more en route to helping the Tractor Boys secure promotion to the Premier League.
Hutchinson capped a stellar Championship campaign after scoring in Ipswich’s final game of the season, their 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town, but now has some difficult decisions to make about his future.
With just one year left on his contract and strong competition around him at Chelsea in all three positions he’s able to play, he will have to think carefully about the best next step for his career.
i assesses the possible options for Hutchinson, how likely each one is and what the best move would be for him.
Return to Chelsea and fight for his place
Here’s the most ambitious but least realistic option: Hutchinson renews his contract, which ends in June 2025, and stays at Stamford Bridge to fight for his place.
There are number of reasons this is unlikely – not least that the 20-year-old is likely still not ready to regularly represent Chelsea.
His extraordinary recent brace at Hull and a number of other crucial goals for Ipswich this season have proven how impressive he is on form, but there’s still work to do defensively.
And Noni Madueke is beginning to put his own stamp on Hutchinson’s preferred right wing, with Cole Palmer another obvious incumbent once Enzo Fernandez returns.
Raheem Sterling is another option down the right, with Diego Moreira, Angelo Gabriel and Tyrique George other youth options across the three attacking midfield/wing roles.
And beyond all these current choices, the Athletic have reported Chelsea are pursuing the signing of 17-year-old Brazilian right-winger Estevao Willian, aka “Messinho”, from Palmeiras.
Estevao would join Chelsea in April 2025 when he turns 18, but would rapidly present another obstacle in Hutchinson’s path to the first team.
Hutchinson has previously told the Athletic his priority is to remain at Chelsea and win trophies, but he will have to think very carefully about this path.
The possibility of ending up back in the U21s or permanently on the bench could have a decisive impact on his novice career and define the next decade of his life.
Sign a new contract and return to Ipswich on loan
Scarf round his head, arm round Leif Davis, Hutchinson looked at home as he gave his post-match interview to Sky Sports last Saturday.
Asked if he will still be at Ipswich next season, he said: “I hope so. I don’t know.
“I’ll have to see what my agent is saying and what the manager is saying and then go from there. I don’t know, I just want to celebrate at the moment.”
“This is the best loan I could have ever imagined. The boys have helped me so much and I’ve progressed so well from the start of the season until now.”
He then backed this up during the Tractor Boys’ open-top bus tour, saying: “We’ve created history and I’m so happy to be a part of that history. It’s the togetherness of the squad and the manager, he’s put full belief in everyone.
“[Kieran McKenna] gives us full confidence to go out on the pitch and show what we’re capable of. It’s like a family, everyone’s like brothers. It’s a really good connection.”
Given Hutchinson has said he’d like to stay in Ipswich and they will likely want to keep him for their first season back in the Premier League, a deal could definitely be done here.
It would have to be contingent on him signing a new Chelsea contract, given the club would not let him run down his deal elsewhere.
But this may be the best option for both Hutchinson’s development, working with one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe who he clearly thrives under while also playing top-flight football.
McKenna has spoken very highly of Hutchinson previously, saying: “He’s given everything you’d want from a loan player and more. He’s young and has high potential, but he hadn’t played any senior football before this season.”
Head to Ipswich permanently… or Napoli
There also could be the option for Hutchinson to join Ipswich permanently, but this would mean forfeiting his dream of Champions League football in the near future.
With just one year left on his current deal, he may well prove decent value, especially given Chelsea still need to raise money to fit within financial regulations.
And this would be a significant outlay for Ipswich who may believe their money is better spent in more crucial positions or on more established players.
Another option is including Hutchinson as part of a cash-plus-player swap deal for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – Chelsea have reportedly offered Romelu Lukaku and an unnamed young player as part of a potential transfer.
A third option would be a departure to another club in order to continue furthering his career, potentially either lower down the Premier League or in France or Germany.
But this would seem an unsatisfactory option all round, with neither Hutchinson ending up where he wants or Chelsea getting the most out of a valuable asset who may well become a consistent, Premier League-level talent.
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