Chelsea manager Graham Potter has been told he has the club’s ‘next Eden Hazard’ amongst his ranks in the form of summer recruit Omari Hutchinson.
The 18-year-old made the switch across London from Premier League rivals Arsenal back in July, with the highly-rated winger believing he has a better chance of breaking into the first team at Stamford Bridge than the Emirates Stadium.
And that could be about to ring true for Hutchinson, who has highly impressed Chelsea staff since his summer switch and is now understood to be closing in on a place in his first matchday squad for the Blues.
As reported by The Athletic, club staff have privately likened the teenager’s playing style to Blues legend Hazard, despite Hutchinson being left-footed, after showing him his own highlights reel from his time at Arsenal
Despite never making his first team debut for the Gunners, although he was named in 10 matchday squads last season, Hutchinson recorded 17 goals and 16 assists across a combined total of 46 games for Arsenal’s U18s and U21s ( transfermarkt ).
Since making the switch to Chelsea, the youngster has already tallied up four goals and five assists in 12 games for the U21s, including a sublime solo effort in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient in the Papa John’s Trophy.
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Now, however, Potter is moving closer to rewarding Hutchinson with a place on the first team bench in the Premier League. The tricky winger has already trained with his senior colleagues and made a lasting impression on a number of big names at the club.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and forward Raheem Sterling, in particular, are said to be most impressed with the youngsters development so far this season, and will likely share their thoughts with Potter on the potential he currently possesses.
However, with top flight fixtures against Manchester United, Brighton, Arsenal and Newcastle to come before the international break, a debut is unlikely at this stage. On the other hand, Chelsea are closing in on securing their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Should they defeat RB Salzburg next week, it could mean their final Group E fixture at home to bottom side Dinamo Zagreb becomes a dead-rubber. Should this be the case, Hutchinson could be given the smallest of cameos in the Stamford Bridge encounter on November 2.
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup third round fixture on November 9 would have also provided the best possible opportunity for Hutchinson to gain some minutes, had they not drawn Man City, with both sides expected to name strong sides for that heavyweight clash.
Nonetheless, Hutchinson has impressed senior staff enough so far this season that he remains on the brink of a first team call-up. Should he continue shining for the U21s, then there is no doubt that Potter will reward the youngster with a place on the bench.
