Its been quite a fortnight in Omari Hutchinsons development at Ipswich Town, but it has once again shone the spotlight on Manager Keiran McKenna’s ability, as much as the player himself.
When Hutchinson coolly slotted the third goal past Birminghams John Ruddy to seal the points on Saturday, it was his fifth goal or assist in his last five appearances for Ipswich. The loanee from Chelsea has grown increasingly influential as the season has progressed, but whilst his wing play and goal output have understandably drawn all the attention, it is his potential off the ball which McKenna has made such an impact on.
Back in September, Hutchinson made his first ever start in professional football and capped off the performance by adding his first ever goal in professional football, a result of stealing possession from a Southampton defender. Afterwards, McKenna was keen to highlight that the players speed and low centre of gravity, presented him the potential to develop an “elite” pressing ability.
“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.”
East Anglian Daily Times
It speaks volumes of McKennas own “elite” coaching ability that he had been able to identify an opportuntiy to develop Hutchinsons game that most supporters, pundits and perhaps even managers would probably not have any awareness of.
To emphasise the players own buy-in on this, two months later, Hutchinson spoke of the benefits he was now getting from this new found awareness and improvement.
“I have improved on it a lot. I’ve been watching clips of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, too; how they press off the ball. I have implemented that into my game and become really good at it.
“The coach has told me that I am now one of the best pressers he has seen, so that has become one of my attributes. I am making it a strength. You need to be able to read the game. So when the ball is on the other side of the pitch, get across, try and predict what is going to happen next.
“If the opposition make a mistake, be in a good position to pounce.”
The Athletic
Now, three months later, that pressing ability is noticeably a stand-out facet of Hutchinsons game and whilst his goal against Birmingham had fans off their seats, they were equally quick to jump to their feet to acknowledge a brilliant sliding block on a Birmingham defender late in the game, disrupting an attack. It was one of several blocks and presses that unsettled the opposition defence, whilst his block to win the ball set up Nathan Broadheads leveller in the previous win at Swansea.
This is of course testament to the players level-headed approach and willingness to learn, which Ipswich Town fans have delighted in, but it is yet another example of the outstanding ability that Keiran McKenna has for improving every player he is in contact with. Chelsea must be absolutely delighted with the progress of his loan, something which must further enhance the clubs potential when it comes to bringing in future signings.
