Better than Mudryk! Chelsea loan star fires Ipswich to historic promotion

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 May 2024 15:44 BST
• 4 min read

Ipswich Town have been promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

The Tractor Boys sealed their historic return to the top flight in style by beating Huddersfield 2-0 on Saturday afternoon. Kieran McKenna has masterminded back-to-back promotions and one of the key players of this success has been Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson.

The 20-year-old scored Ipswich's second goal against the Terriers, taking his tally for the season to an impressive 10 goals and six assists across all competitions. It's not a mind-boggling return from the scintillating right-winger, but it is the same kind of production Chelsea star Raheem Sterling has put up (eight goals, eight assists) and more than Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have managed.

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Hutchinson has been brilliant fun to watch, but it is doubtful whether the former Arsenal youngster will be able to stake his claim in the Blues' first team next season given how much money the Blues spent on the likes of Mudryk and Madueke, with the latter also impressing in recent weeks.

Yet, it is blatantly obvious that Hutchinson should have a role to play in Mauricio Pochettino's side. In fact, the right-winger could be the future of Chelsea.

Hutchinson better than Madueke and Mudryk

In addition to putting up better numbers than Mudryk and Madueke this season, Hutchinson is rated higher by analytics firm SciSports. The 20-year-old has a higher potential than his senior counterparts, according to the experts.

SciSports analyse hundreds of data points to calculate a potential based on their SciSkill model and Hutchinson ranks higher than both Madueke and Mudryk in that department, though his current ability is deemed to not yet be on the same level.

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Madueke has a potential of 98.7 and Mudryk one of 97.6, while Hutchinson clocks in at 101.2. The Jamaica international cost Chelsea nothing yet he could become a better player than €70 million Mudryk and €35m Madueke.

Hutchinson's deal is up in 2025 and Chelsea are expected to offer him an extension. However, the Blues will need to draw up a clear plan for his integration into the first team. This season has shown that the 20-year-old can be a Premier League-level player and the youngster has no shortage of suitors. If Chelsea are not careful, another massive talent could slip through their fingers.