'It would be a waste of talent' – Championship manager bathes Chelsea loanee in praise

Omari Hutchinson made his first start for Ipswich last night, celebrating it by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Southampton.

The winger has had to wait for his 6th match for his first start, but last night he put in a great performance against Saints, and his manager couldn’t stop raving about him and his quality. It sounds like the teenager won’t have to wait as long for his second start as he did for his first.

“It’s a great indication of the progress he’s been making and the standards and discipline he’s learning here. Alongside the goal his all-round defensive performance was excellent. Of course he showed his quality and bravery on the ball as well,” coach Kieran McKenna said.

This probably surprised him, but when I met him over the summer I showed him some video and told him that I think he can be absolutely outstanding out of possession. He’s got the endurance to do it, he’s got the speed, he’s got the agility to move his feet. I think he can be top, top, top class out of possession.

I said to him if he doesn’t utilise that part of the game, if he doesn’t come here and develop that part of is game, it would be waste of talent because there are not many wingers who have got the ability to do that side of the game naturally as well as he does.”

There sounds like there’s some genuine enthusiasm in those quote. Managers are not interested in developing loan players for the sake of it – they’re fighting for their job and for their team’s points. Players like Hutchinson will only be used if they improve their team’s chances of winning.

Given he scored the winner last night, and clearly has his defensive work valued, Omari has a great chance of further progress in Suffolk.