Departing Blues loanee Omari Hutchinson says Town will always have a place in his heart following his outstanding season-long spell at Portman Road from Chelsea.

The 20-year-old scored 11 goals and recorded five assists during his first full senior season. He is now understood to be back at Stamford Bridge with his parent club, who have him contracted for another season with an option for a further campaign, keen to take a look at him in training and talk about his future before the summer break.

Reflecting on the season just gone and helping Town to promotion to the Premier League, the Jamaica international wrote on Instagram: “I want to reflect on how special this year has been for me. Since arriving at the club you have all made me feel welcome and loved.

“Thanks to my amazing teammates who I now call brothers, helped me from the first day I entered that changing room.

“Also [I’d] like to thank the special people behind the scenes who treated me like one of their own. To all the coaching staff that helped develop me into the player I am today, thank you.



“Most importantly, a massive thank you to Kieran McKenna for trusting and believing in my ability. You brought out the best of me and I will always be grateful for that. Ipswich Town will always have a place in my heart💙”

Town manager McKenna and chief executive Mark Ashton have both said they are keen to bring Hutchinson back to Portman Road next season, but with the Blues still finalising their transfer plans and with the summer potentially one of flux for the former Arsenal youngster.

Big clubs throughout Europe are understood to have kept an eye on him during his time with the Blues and Chelsea, who are believed to need to sell players to stay within Financial Fair Play limits, perhaps looking to sell a player they rate at around £20 million, while Town aren’t the only ones keen to sign him on loan for next season.

Hutchinson himself has said he’d be keen to return to the Blues but admitted he didn’t know what would happen over the summer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Omari Hutchinson (@omarihutchinson10)

Photo: Matchday Images

90z added 20:49 - May 15 Would be great to have him for another season on loan. McKenna knows how to get the best out of him! Still young and alot to learn.
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SuperBlue69 added 20:51 - May 15 Respect and humility…These are the qualities that underpin success
7

Kilterums added 20:53 - May 15 Kinda sounds like he know's he's moving on.
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Ansty added 20:56 - May 15 Good luck to you son, i think you are gonna make it to the top.
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Help added 21:00 - May 15 Never fall in love with a loan player, my goodness how deep have we all fallen in love with Omari
11

pennblue added 21:01 - May 15 Great lad, could do a lot worse than coming back here. Still young and he can grow here without too much pressure, he will need to develop further to be as effective in the prem, he will get time here.
6

Bradleyblue89 added 21:16 - May 15 It feels like a thank you and goodbye. If so I'm conflicted between wanting him to go somewhere else and it not to work out then get him back, and being grateful for what he did for us in such a short time and rooting for him to become world class.
1

Bramidan added 21:26 - May 15 Well that’s football, big clubs hoover up all the young players and then farm them out. No reserve sides, just a squad of players. Trawl all the youngsters to stop anybody else having them and just loan them out, because at that moment in time they are superfluous. It stinks.
10

ArnieM added 22:01 - May 15 Super Omari you’ll always have a place in our hearts too. Sadly, your message sounds like a goodbye. If that’s the case “ thank you” SO much for giving us a glimpse of your talents and humility . If you are not to return to ITFC I will follow your career now and wish you all the very best in your career you are a top, top young Professional footballer. A rarity these days.

5

LuciBlue added 22:08 - May 15 The difference between a Footballing club and a corporate meat grinder is clear and important. Treat the players like people, not commodities, and get the best out of them.
5

ghostofescobar added 22:22 - May 15 It all sounds like a goodbye doesn’t it? But, like a girlfriend that has dumped me, but hasn’t actually said the words “it’s over”, I cling onto the faintest hope, the hope that stops my heart completely breaking in two. Think we have been very lucky to have had one season watching this young man play for us. Good luck with whatever comes next, Omari, you deserve it.

0

MickMillsTash added 22:27 - May 15 It will be his first season in the premier, a great chance of OMARI performing at his best would be at ITFC, can we sell him that story and do a deal? - he can have a really good sell on clause etc OR Palace will sell one of their wingers and have Omari lined up to be a replacement offering him massive bag of cash now
2

terryf added 22:30 - May 15 Only now and again do you watch a player who gets you moving forward in your seat every time he had the ball at his feet. Omari was such a player. I have a feeling we will see him again in the 'blue' of Ipswich Town. This season was very special both for him and us!
3

Edmundo added 23:04 - May 15 Thank you Omari. Let's see what happens...
4

Ipswichbusiness added 23:17 - May 15 He was a wonderful signing and has turned out to be a superb player. Unfortunately, Chelsea are up against their PSR limits and they rarely promote in-house talent, preferring to buy in. Therefore, the likelihood is that he will be sold to the highest bidder which is unlikely to be us.
0

bucket99 added 00:31 - May 16 I loved how, even after the back-flips, he never even smiled. He didn't make it all about himself, he was part of the team. The club, really. I'm glad we had the opportunity to witness his development, even if he doesn't come back. Good luck to a good person!
1

itfcserbia added 06:43 - May 16 £20 million? I'd take him in a heartbeat, he'll be worth double that after one more season with McKenna.
5

Dissboyitfc added 07:47 - May 16 Great heartfelt words from a lovely grounded young man! Thing is that did sound like a goodbye, he could a lot worse that returning here, he wont find another club like us that's perfect for his development, may go somewhere else and just be a number! Will always have special memories of this young man and his heroics in an Ipswich shirt!
0

RobITFC added 08:06 - May 16 Maybe it is just the case that he will be in the Chelsea 1st team?
0

Alphawhiskey added 08:12 - May 16 At least he bothered to make such a lovely statement. Most players just disappear back to their parent clubs. I firmly believe he would love to sign for us and play most weeks. Unfortunately though, young players like him have other people who try to influence and manipulate them..... Agents, Peers, Managers and family etc...Plus mega money... Maybe we will sign him? Stranger things have happened.. What a player though!!!

2

JPR77 added 09:40 - May 16 £20M sounds like a shrewd investment to me.
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oldelsworthyfan added 09:59 - May 16 I expect ITFC to do all they can to have Hutchinson an Ipswich Town player next season. For a start, he won't want to go out on loan anywhere else. McKenna too will want a couple of seasons with us in the Premier League before he takes the England job.
0

wokingblue added 11:55 - May 16 Oh dear. Sounds like goodnight and farewell. Well, it was good while it lasted so now onward to find the next Omari. A team is more than one player (albeit an important one)
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Karlosfandangal added 12:28 - May 16 The big plus for Town is he loved it here…..bit like Hirst. If Town can come up with the transfer fee plus wages……if ……. There will be a lot of top sides disappointed. It’s different for Town now….they have Prem money and backer plus a £100 million from a 40% stakeholder. Maybe just maybe fingers crossed you never know
2

Town1Inter0 added 13:42 - May 16 Maybe he'll come back to us, but sadly it might be towards the end of his career.
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