Report: Graham Potter has been massively impressed by 19-year-old Chelsea youngster in first-team training

By Nathaniel Kay

Graham Potter has reportedly been tremendously taken aback by Omari Hutchinson’s performances in Chelsea training.

According to the Evening Standard, Potter has been ‘hugely impressed’ with the 19-year-old since he became fully embedded in the senior squad.

Hutchinson has regularly rubbed shoulders with the first-team since the change of management occurred in September.

Whilst he is yet to make a competitive appearance under the new coach, the signs certainly point towards a few meaningful minutes in the near future.

The teenager did start in the friendly against Aston Villa earlier this month and was arguably Chelsea’s best player on the day.

Potter himself was really impressed by the attacker’s display in Abu Dhabi, his first full glimpse of the exciting talent in action.

Games on the horizon for Omari Hutchinson

With the fixture list looking as full as certain stomachs after Christmas, the Blues boss might be seriously considering using Hutchinson properly soon.

Chelsea’s trip to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on New Years Day could well be a prime opportunity to play the young forward.

Especially with two consecutive contests with Manchester City just around the corner.

Pep Guardiola will face Potter twice in the space of three days in January, in the Premier League then FA Cup.

A strong team selection in both games will be required, which may just omit Hutchinson from the manager’s thought process.

But there is no reason why an opening for Omari won’t appear later on in the campaign.

Nathaniel Kay

"Nathaniel is a football journalist who graduated from the University of Derby. He worked at Burton Albion as part of their media team for two years. Nathaniel produced regular articles for the club’s official website and match-day programme. He covered the 2018 U20 Women’s World Cup in Brittany and has reported from grounds ranging from non-league up to the Premier League. Nathaniel is a full-time writer for the Chelsea Chronicle, and was formerly their social media man. His footballing career reached the sparkling heights of winning the Under-13s Bloxham Tournament in 2011."