Omari Hutchinson reflects on ‘perfect’ loan spell as Ipswich prepare Chelsea bid

Omari Hutchinson has been reflecting on his loan spell at Ipswich Town and explained how much it has made him grow on and off the pitch.

The 20-year-old spent the 2023/24 campaign at Portman Road and played a significant role in helping the Tractor Boys gain promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 22 years. Hutchinson netted 10 goals and provided six assists for Ipswich in 44 Championship appearances – and Kieran McKenna, who recently penned a new contract with the East Anglian club, wants to bring him back on a permanent basis.

Ipswich are prepared to offer £20million to sign Hutchinson, football.london understands, despite the winger’s contract at Chelsea being extended by a year recently. The Blues exercised an option to add another 12 months onto his deal to protect his value more than anything else.

The Jamaica international enjoyed his first consistent experience of senior football while playing for Ipswich. And by the sounds of it, Hutchinson’s time at Portman Road was invaluable.

“It was a great season and a great year,” Hutchinson said. “From the minute I stepped into the building, all the boys were on it. They gave me a lot of confidence when I was training that I would take into my matches. We showed relentlessness and ruthlessness, we stayed composed and we got to the Premier League.

“The culture was about being humble, being willing to work for the team and the badge because it’s a community club. All the fans love the club and you have to represent the badge really well and show humility.

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca could be about to make immediate Reece James and Malo Gusto change at Chelsea

READ MORE: What Tosin Adarabioyo transfer means for Trevoh Chalobah as Chelsea face FFP wait

“I would probably say it was the perfect loan move – you couldn’t really get much better, could you? Getting promotion was the ideal thing.

“My intentions were to get into the team, get as many minutes and as much experience as possible from my teammates and the manager – and that ended up being the case. I just wanted to help out the team as much as possible.”

He continued: “It was a big step up from Under-21s football. It was my first time living by myself which was different. I’m good within my personal space though and my family are very supportive. I always saw them at every game.

“In men’s football, you have fans that are on your back when you’re not performing and you have fans behind you when you’re winning. You’re on TV and there are loads of people watching. There is a big difference, but being in that winning environment is just so good for a young player to see and get that winning feeling.

“I gained a lot of experience at Chelsea, but it’s not the same when you are in a first-team dressing room week in, week out. You’re watching what they are doing, taking part in extras and they are grown men. They have to look after themselves, how they eat, going in the saunas – those little details really helped me out.

“Even just speaking to the older players and learning about their experiences from other clubs and what they had to go through and all the sacrifices they made was really important for me.”

While Ipswich want to bring Hutchinson back to the club, they are not alone with their interest. VfB Stuttgart are very keen on the Chelsea winger, football.london understands, with Hutchinson actually visiting the MHPArena recently.

Ajax and Feyenoord have also expressed an interest to Hutchinson and his representatives. Either way, it is looking increasingly likely that the former Arsenal youngster will be leaving Stamford Bridge at some point this summer.