CHELSEA moved quickly to re-sign talented teen Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal last season and got a glimpse of his brilliance last night.
The wing-wizard, 18, was highly-rated by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and regularly featured in first team training last season.
But, after seven years at Hale End – Cobham will be is now where he his football career is growing.
And he scored a brilliant solo goal to help their Under-21s beat Leyton Orient 3-2 yesterday which sent Twitter into meltdown.
On a weekly basis last campaign, it was Arsenal fans that were left purring by the attacker and a piece of magnificent skill he had performed during an Under-23 game.
Back in October 2021, Hutchinson produced a stunning backheel assist in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
While in January, it was the Blues who were left stunned by Hutchinson’s incredible solo goal in a 4-1 loss in the Papa John’s Trophy.
His form excited boss Arteta and sporting director Edu, who believed they may have found the next Bukayo Saka.
Like Miguel Azeez, Charlie Patino and Nikolaj Moller, Hutchinson was on the fringes of a first team call-up, earning rave reviews among the Arsenal coaching staff. However, he never did get that first team call up.
An attacking midfielder with quick feet and bags of pace, Hutchinson was spied listening attentively to his ex-Spanish boss during coaching sessions in the past few seasons.
Former Arsenal star David Luiz was also impressed by his efforts – and embraced the youngster with a high-five.
FULL OF POTENTIAL AND BELIEF
Back in 2020, Hutchinson signed his first pro contract with Arsenal, who he has been with since the age of 11.
“A proud day for me and my family and I look forward to pushing on and continuing to work hard,” he wrote on his Instagram as a caption for a photo that showed him inking his deal.
Cheekily, he added: “Debut soon to come.”
The confidence he has in his ability translates to the swagger he plays with on the pitch.
An attacking midfielder who has drawn comparisons with Raheem Sterling, Hutchinson boasts fine dribbling skills and an eye for a goal playing on the right wing.
Ironically, Sterling is now his team mate at Stamford Bridge – so he will able to learn first hand from his hero.
And Hutchinson knows a thing or two about performing against London teams. Last season, he was the star performer in the 4-1 rout of Tottenham for the U18’s – scoring another brilliant individual goal and grabbing an assist.
And he is equally as adept playing in a No10 role, while he was also used at left-back.
ARTETA WAS IMPRESSED
A few months before Hutchinson penned his deal with Arsenal, he was drafted into a first team training session with Arteta and Arsenal’s main stars.
Immediately, he impressed his boss with his passing, skill on the ball, movement and his determination.
Of course, Arteta had heard from Hutchinson’s youth coaches that he was one of the most exciting players in the academy.
That is now all academic now.
But there’s still some way to go before we know he can do it with the big boys.
Last season, he was raved about – scoring a goal in a 4-3 win away at Newport County in the Football League Trophy.
Fans raved that he was Arsenal’s standout performer.
His outstanding season was rewarded with an international call-up by Jamaica, which he accepted with glee even though he was capped at England youth level.
So it’s no wonder Chelsea are happy to have nabbed a Gunners youth star. “We are delighted that Omari has agreed to sign for Chelsea,” head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser revealed.
“He is a brilliant addition who joins us as an exciting emerging talent hoping to make a quick impression in the senior game.”
