Chelsea could soon be welcoming another new face into their first team set-up as Graham Potter's squad revamp speeds up heading into January. As much as the Blues are already dealing with an unpredictable influx of returning World Cup stars, injuries and possible transfers mean there is a constant fluidity to the make-up of the team.
With just Croatia's Mateo Kovacic and Morocco forward Hakim Ziyech left in Qatar Potter's squad will slowly be taking shape ahead of domestic action kicking off once more in just under two weeks. The Blues' preparation ahead of that match hasn't been ideal though, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek unable to train properly due to injury and other players remaining out of action.
Plus, Armando Broja's first half injury against Aston Villa in the 1-0 friendly loss leaves Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only two strikers in the squad, and Havertz's best position is still relatively unclear.
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For Potter this creates an issue that isn't easily solved in the transfer window either, but the answer may well already be right in front of him. Amongst the top performers against Villa on Sunday was 19-year-old Omari Hutchinson, and Potter has praised the new starlet for his contribution.
Speaking after the match, the 47-year-old said, "[He was] really good, really good. "[He was] dangerous, asked the questions all the time, I think he hit the bar in the first half, but throughout the game he showed his quality.
"He wasn’t the only one, it was a spirited performance against an experienced Premier League side so it was good."
Chelsea fell to defeat against Unai Emery's team but did field six Cobham graduates, as well as Hutchinson, who joined in the summer from Arsenal.
He is yet to get he first team debut yet but has spent time around the squad before and since the domestic break with his appearance on the bench against Brighton in October and for the Carabao Cup trip to Manchester City exciting those who keenly await his introduction into proceedings.
It may have been alarming for some that the academy players were the most settled and fluid, whilst regular senior players looked short of fitness and confidence. Hutchinson has already blurred the lines between the two, and is certainly amongst the options to replace Broja.
The 21-year-old Albanian has played 18 times this season but mostly coming from the bench, and has scored one goal. As third choice striker, replacing him with Hutchinson would work, and would also follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hall. The teenager has made his debut, unlike Hutchinson, and is now an established first team squad player.
Hall played his first game under Thomas Tuchel last season but has come into recognition already under Potter for his impressive Under-21 performances. Hall played in midfield on Sunday and spends most of his time there for the academy, but impressed as a left wing-back in two matches against City and Newcastle last month.
He is now a back-up option for Marc Cucurella due to Ben Chilwell's injury and Potter could follow suit with Hutchinson being the replacement attacker for Broja. Although not a natural striker, Hutchinson is flexible and can play across the front line.
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