Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, has controversially decided to leave out the ‘new Eden Hazard’ from the group that traveled to the United States this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that Omari Hutchinson should play a season of first-team football abroad before making his debut for Chelsea. After being left out of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, the 19-year-old winger has been widely linked with a loan move away from Stamford Bridge.
Hutchinson was a regular in the Blues’ matchday squad last season, making cameo appearances off the bench against Manchester City in the Premier League and the FA Cup. While the Jamaica international has battled to break into the starting eleven, it is reported that he frequently impresses in training and that more opportunities are on the way – just not at Chelsea.
According to The Athletic, Hutchinson’s young coaches at Cobham have compared him to Eden Hazard because of their comparable dribbling styles, eye for goal, and explosive pace. The Chelsea authorities and fans certainly hold great regard for the adolescent sensation, but he’ll have to wait a little longer to earn Pochettino’s trust.
According to The Athletic, Hutchinson and Harvey Vale were left out of the travelling team to ‘enable them to concentrate on negotiating loan transfers away’. According to the source, West Bromwich Albion previously agreed to sign the Jamaican in January, but the deal fell through.
Hutchinson confessed to Chelsea’s in-house media team in December that he loved integrating himself into the first-team under Graham Potter.
“It’s been a great experience,” he said, adding, “and getting used to the boys, their culture, and how they are in the building is very good for me and will benefit me in the long run.”
The former Arsenal teenager was then questioned about his time working alongside Potter. Hutchinson responded,
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“The best really, they’ve given me the freedom on the pitch, tell me to express myself, so that’s really all I could ask for.”
“Every day I come into Chelsea, I just want to work hard, whether it’s with the 21s or the first team.” I just want to benefit myself and keep working.”
Hutchinson, whose contract at Chelsea runs until 2025, played 25 appearances for the Chelsea Development Squad last season, directly contributing to 18 goals, three of which came against Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy. His outstanding performances have earned parallels to Hazard, but it appears that he still needs to prove himself.