McKenna: Hutchinson Didn't Feel That He Could Contribute Today
Tuesday, 12th Aug 2025 23:07
Town boss Kieran McKenna says forward Omari Hutchinson felt that he “couldn’t contribute” for the Blues in their Carabao Cup tie at Bromley with the 21-year-old having made his desire to return to the Premier League clear.
Both Brentford and Nottingham Forest have made £35 million offers for the England U21 international which have been rebuffed. The Blues are believed to be targeting £40 million for the ex-Chelsea man.
Hutchinson suffered a throat infection last week which meant he wasn’t involved at Birmingham on Friday, but McKenna confirmed his absence today wasn’t related to the illness, although Nathan Broadhead, who is being targeted by Wrexham, did report in unwell.
“No, he trained on Monday OK and then didn’t feel that he could contribute today with the situation as it is,” McKenna said of Hutchinson.
“That was his decision and Nathan reported sick this morning, which on the day of the game is not ideal.”
Asked whether he is disappointed in Hutchinson, McKenna said: “He’s made [clear] his desire to continue to play Premier League football if the opportunity is there.
“I think it’s known how much care we have for Omari and empathy we have with him, he’s a young player, 21, it’s not an easy situation to handle.
“There are different ways to handle the situation but I think that seems to be more prevalent in modern football and players get advice from different directions and he’s a very, very young player.
“We have empathy with him, we’ll try and guide him in the right way in terms of how to deal with situations, but, of course, as long as he’s at the football club, we want him able to contribute and help the team on the pitch.”
McKenna says the situation hasn’t changed regarding the offers for the one-time Arsenal youngster.
“There hasn’t been anything that has changed the club’s position yet,” he added. “It’s known that Omari had a buyout clause in his contract, which was active for a few months.
“There was no serious or appropriate offers in that time, so once that position’s closed, then it’s the club’s position to make the decision as they see fit.
“There hasn’t been any sort of interest or offers to change that position so far, so we’ll see what the next few weeks bring.”
McKenna says it’s more complicated than just telling Hutchinson he’s staying as he is in contract until the summer of 2029.
“Situations are never as simple as that and, of course, the club has their position, the player has their position, but it’s never as straightforward and especially when you’re dealing with a young player here,” he continued.
“I don’t think there’s too much more to say on it, we have our position as a club. My position I’ve communicated with Omari around the situation and, of course, he’s communicated his and we’ll see what the next few weeks bring.”
Ideally McKenna says he’d love to have Hutchinson at the club for the season ahead: “I think that’s clear and obvious.”
Photo: Matchday Images
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ITFC_Follower added 23:09 - Aug 12
Just get his agent to get one of the bidders to contribute £5m more and lets all move on...||
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BlueRuin69 added 23:09 - Aug 12
Oh dear.........and Nathan called in sick.......Morsy our most iconic figure allowed to leave........squad in tatters........||
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PacittiJohn added 23:11 - Aug 12
If I couldn’t contribute at work my wages would stop.||
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Mat added 23:12 - Aug 12
That’s all very sad ….||
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ITFC_Follower added 23:12 - Aug 12
its good he will be giving this weeks salary to charity though....||
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RegencyBlue added 23:12 - Aug 12Get rid asap!
It’s doing the team no good at all for this to be hanging over them. It’s a shame for it to end this way but Hutchinson has made his feelings clear.||
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BlueRuin69 added 23:13 - Aug 12
He is not even bothering with an excuse any more, shambolic||
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BlueRuin69 added 23:13 - Aug 12
He is not even bothering with an excuse any more, shambolic||
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jas0999 added 23:14 - Aug 12Very very weak management from KMc.
I don’t think I can contribute at work tomorrow …. Oh I’ll be sacked.
KMc looks out of his depth j now.||
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Andy32Cracknell added 23:15 - Aug 12
Should be fined two weeks wages. He has a contract that he was happy to sign not so long ago so he should stick to it and play. If any other person refused to work they would be reprimanded, what makes him any different.||
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BlueOura added 23:17 - Aug 12
Not good from Omari. perhaps the club should 'not feel like paying him' seeiing as he is refusing to do his job.||
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