Reggae Boy Hutchinson could return to Chelsea
LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — Reggae Boy Omari Hutchinson could be set for a return to Premier League giants Chelsea following a successful loan spell at Championship outfit Ipswich.
Media reports here Wednesday said the 20-year-old has been asked to report to Cobham — Chelsea’s training base — so he could be assessed by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Hutchinson, who has represented Jamaica in two friendly matches, made just two first team appearances for the west London club after joining them on a free transfer two years ago.
He was subsequently shipped out to Ipswich this season, banging in 10 goals and registering six assists in 44 league appearances, to help the club known as ‘The Tractor Boys’ achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich finished second on 96 points, just one behind Leicester City — both teams earning automatic promotion.
Hutchinson played a key role in Ipswich’s run-in, scoring eight goals in the new year to finish with 11 in all competitions.
He was voted Ipswich’s Young Player-of-the-Year and was good enough to also capture the club’s Player-of-the-Month three times and Championship Player-of-the-Month on another occasion.
Only recently, Hutchinson conceded that while he had a desire to return to Portman Road, his future remained unclear.
“I hope so,” he said after being asked about staying with the club for the Premier League campaign.
“I don’t know, we will see what the manager is saying and my agent.”
Media reports said there was also interest from other Premier Clubs, as well as from Holland and Germany.
Born in England, Hutchinson qualifies to represent Jamaica through his father, Leon.
He made his debut two years ago in a 0-6 defeat to Catalonia in Girona and also featured against Trinidad and Tobago a year later, a 0-1 defeat in Montego Bay.
More recently, however, he reportedly turned down call-ups from the Caribbean giants, preferring to focus on his club form.