OPINIONChelsea handed easy transfer decision after stunning form helps secure double promotion

The 20-year-old has played a key role in Ipswich’s superb promotion campaign after helping them become the first side in over a decade to gain promotion from League One to the Premier League in consecutive seasons. Ipswich are the first team since Southampton in 2012 to achieve a rare double promotion.

And Hutchinson’s 10 goals and six assists have played a major role in the Tractor Boy’s return to English football’s top flight for the first time in 22 years. The former Arsenal youth academy player scored Ipswich’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday to seal promotion.

Hutchison and Chelsea will now have a decision to make. It is unlikely that the winger will gain the minutes needed at Stamford Bridge to aid his development next season.

But the young forward has earned the right to play top-flight football and a campaign at newly-promoted Ipswich or another Premier League side is surely on the horizon. The Blues will need to be mindful though of the fact his contract expires next summer (2025), which could leave the door open for him to depart on a free transfer.

However, as reported by football.london back in January, Hutchinson’s entourage are very confident the winger will hold talks with Chelsea over extending his contract at Stamford Bridge. Speaking back in March, he promised a decision on his future would be made at the end of 2023/24.

“It’s going to be a difficult one. I don’t know the answer to that. But maybe – I hope so,” Hutchinson said when asked about a potential stay at Portman Road next season.

“Listen, I can’t tell you where I’m going to play. We’ll see in the summer what the right move is and what the best decision is for myself. I love it here – 100 per cent. I’m glad I came.

“It’s a difficult one. Look, it will be one of my options if everyone agrees with it. But I couldn’t give you the right answer now. You’ll just have to wait and see in the summer.