Omari Hutchinson is back at Chelsea after Ipswich’s promotion – but what happens next?

Chelsea have not wasted much time in summoning Omari Hutchinson back to Cobham to watch him first-hand in training and conduct an important conversation or two face-to-face.

It has been an exciting few days for the 20-year-old forward. On Saturday, Hutchinson put in yet another man-of-the-match display for loan club Ipswich Town to help them beat Huddersfield Town 2-0. The result sparked wild celebrations as Ipswich won automatic promotion back to the Premier League, ending a 22-year spell playing outside England’s top division.

On Monday, Hutchinson joined the Ipswich squad and coaching staff for a celebratory bus parade around the town. In the evening, he attended an end-of-season dinner where he collected the club’s Young Player of the Year trophy. After a return of 11 goals and six assists from 50 appearances during his season-long loan, the award was thoroughly deserved.

So what happens next?

Well, his work for the campaign is not over. Chelsea have asked him to report back to the building next week so an extended break is on hold. For Hutchinson, a return to his parent club will provide an opportunity to ask some important questions and gauge what he should do with the next phase of his career. Importantly, among the important personnel on site, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will run the rule over him in training and speak to him about the future.

There is no rush for any concrete decisions to be made. Shortly after the final whistle sounded at Portman Road at the weekend, Hutchinson was asked by Sky Sports if he wanted to return to Ipswich on loan for 2024-25. “I hope so,” he replied. “I don’t know, we will see what the manager is saying and my agent. Right now, I am going to celebrate — I do not know what to do.”

Ipswich fans should not get too carried away by the initial “hope so” response just yet. Emotions were running high at that particular moment and the youngster does have a genuinely strong affection for the club. But it is over the next weeks and months that more serious deliberation will take place. His mind is certainly not made up.

Going back to Ipswich is a strong possibility. Hutchinson has thrived there, enjoying the positive environment of a family club on the up. It would be a less pressurised environment than Chelsea to spend a first full season as a member of a senior squad competing in the Premier League — Hutchinson made one Premier League appearance for Chelsea in 2022-23, as a substitute against Manchester City, but was regarded as a member of the under-21s setup.

Yet Ipswich will be among the favourites to be relegated next term. Hutchinson will surely find it a lot tougher to get on the ball and express himself as he has done so impressively in the Championship.

Ipswich’s ability to keep Kieran McKenna as head coach will also be a significant factor.