Former West Brom target Omari Hutchinson would be the perfect fit at The Hawthorns
Former West Brom loan target Omari Hutchinson has missed out on Chelsea’s pre-season tour squad to focus on securing a loan move away from Stamford Bridge, according to a report from the Athletic.
The Baggies were set to sign the attacking midfielder on a temporary basis last January, but were not able to complete the deal before the transfer deadline as they were unable to move forward Karlan Grant out of the Hawthorns.
But six months on this is a deal that still makes plenty of sense, Hutchinson is low down the pecking order at the Bridge and West Brom have managed to move some of their higher earners, like the aforementioned Grant, out of the club.
The financial situation in West Brom has left Carlos Corberan’s hands tied, the expectation is that the Baggies will be dealing in free transfers and loans this window and Hutchinson would certainly fit this bill.
Despite being highly thought of by those at Stamford Bridge, the Jamaican international has only made two first-team appearances, such is the depth of quality in the capital after a rather busy few windows under the Todd Bohely regime.
A move to West Brom would allow him to gain consistent first-team experience for the first time in his career and he would be likely to be heavily involved, with Corberan very keen to secure his services in January and very little has changed in the midlands squad.
Since the Spaniard’s arrival at the end of 2022, the Baggies have typically lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and Hutchinson’s profile would allow him to play in any of the three more advanced midfield roles.
Despite being left-footed, he is more than capable of playing on either wing or even as a withdrawn forward and last season while playing for Chelsea’s U21 side, he managed to score seven goals and assist eight times in 21 appearances.
He provides a very different attacking threat to the likes of John Swift and Alex Mowatt, whose skillset come in their range of passing and ability to maintain possession, rather than the dynamism and dribbling ability of Hutchinson.
There are still a number of players that the Baggies are aiming to move on to fund potential incoming business for Corberan, including some of the brighter attacking talents such as Grady Diangana. If the Baggies manage to clear some of their unwanted players, it would only provide more opportunity for Hutchinson to make an impact.
You don’t have to look beyond last season at the impact great loan signings can have for promotion or play-off chasing teams.
Burnley were buoyed by the excellent temporary additions of Ian Maatsen and Nathan Tella, while Sheffield United called upon Manchester City loanees, Tommy Doyle and James McAtee. The right loan additions can be the catalyst for a team to kick on and return to the top flight.
The extra advantage of a temporary switch for Hutchinson is that if for whatever reason it doesn’t work out as all parties intend, West Brom’s debt isn’t compounded and they aren’t lumbered with a waste of money in their squad, something they have to be very wary of at the moment.
In other West Brom news, Alex Mowatt is set to be given another chance at the Hawthorns after his Middlesbrough loan