European clubs may be interested in snatching Hutchinson from Chelsea next season, but the Tractor Boys need not be discouraged themselves.
Ipswich Town’s Omari Hutchinson has been in excellent form in recent weeks and has been an important player for the Tractor Boys this season despite not starting every game.
The Chelsea winger joined Suffolk on loan in the summer and will stay with the club until the end of the current Championship season.
This might see Hutchinson join in Ipswich’s promotion celebrations, as they now sit third in the table, level on points with Leeds United, who hold the second automatic promotion slot.
Hutchinson’s performances, which include five goals and five assists in the Championship thus far, have been a significant part of their successful season under Kieran McKenna, and it is evident why he is receiving interest from clubs for a summer transfer.
Hutchinson is being tracked by numerous European clubs.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a number of European clubs are keeping an eye on the 21-year-old’s progress this season, and Chelsea might face many bids for him in the summer, when he will only have a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
While no specific clubs were mentioned, they will have been impressed by the 20-year-old’s recent performances at Portman Road.
Hutchinson has five goals in his previous five league appearances for Ipswich, including stoppage-time strikes against West Brom, Rotherham United, and Birmingham City.
European interest may put Ipswich in a difficult position when it comes to re-signing the diminutive winger this summer, but the Tractors Boy will have just as good a chance as anyone – as long as they continue to impress in the Championship and win promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich should not be deterred by European interest in Omari Hutchinson.
Hutchinson is clearly developing well under McKenna, and it may be in his best interests to stay at Portman Road for another season, either on loan or permanently if Chelsea are willing to trade the Jamaica international.
With 0.3 assists per 90 minutes, he is among the top 12% of wingers in the league, and his 2.42 successful dribbles per game demonstrate that he is a legitimate threat on the wing.
With roughly one and a half successful crosses made each game, Hutchinson is bound to get some more assists between now and the end of the season, especially with target man Keiffer Moore becoming a crucial part of McKenna’s side since signing on loan in January transfer window.
If the Tractor Boys succeed in gaining promotion this season, the winger will benefit greatly from consistent Premier League playing time.
Chelsea has two alternatives with Hutchinson in the future: keep him and incorporate him into first-team plans, or cash in on him while his value is high.
If they intend to keep him, he is unlikely to see first-team action at Stamford Bridge in the near future, but Premier League experience is always a good thing, which is why a second loan spell at Ipswich may be useful.
If they intend to sell him, seeing him perform well in the Premier League will only boost his transfer worth and inspire more clubs to make offers for him.
At the moment, signing a second-tier forward is always risky because there is no assurance he will be able to transfer his form to a higher level.
If he can help Ipswich climb the league table and continue to play in a system that he knows works for him, Hutchinson might be in line for a large payday.
Staying with the club appears to be in the best interests of both the player and the club, thus the Tractor Boys should not be deterred by reports of European clubs around the attacker.
Even if Chelsea decided to sell, Ipswich would undoubtedly be in the running to sign him on a permanent basis.
If they are promoted to the Premier League, Ipswich will most likely be able to match any foreign bid for the player and make him a vital component of their survival strategy.
While Hutchinson has yet to secure a regular starting spot in the team due to McKenna’s preference to rotate his attacking options, it is clear that the youngster is valued and will undoubtedly be given a regular starting spot in the coming weeks if he maintains his impressive form at Portman Road.
