“No regrets about leaving Arsenal to join Chelsea”
Chelsea midfielder Omari Hutchinson, who is on loan at Championship side Ipswich Town, left Arsenal’s academy for the 2021/22 season and was criticised for his decision as he has made just two first-team appearances for the Blues.
Nevertheless, the 20-year-old has no regrets about his move and believes Chelsea can offer him far more opportunities in the future than the Gunners.
“I was at Arsenal from 11 to playing for the under-23s. I have a lot of friends there and obviously the coaching staff, so it was a difficult decision to leave. I always felt loved there. All the fans were waiting for me to push on into the first team. But things didn’t just work out for one reason or another,” he told ‘The Athletic’.
Chelsea defender Reece James, who has spent his entire professional career playing for the Blues, played an important role in Hutchinson’s decision. “I just had to get over stuff like that. I spoke to the people at Chelsea, saw the pathway they had for me, knew the staff there and some of the players.
“I already knew Reece James and he told me to come. Everyone gave Chelsea a positive review. I believe it has worked out so far. Reece has been on the journey that I want to go on — from the academy, to a loan in the Championship, to the first team,” he added..