Southend United manager Mark Molesley has told the Echo that his club’s staff deserve plenty of credit after Derby County signed star youngster Isaac Hutchinson.
The Rams signed Hutchinson on a two-year deal.
The 20-year-old was regarded as one of Southend’s best players last season, and he will initially join Derby’s U23s alongside fellow new signing Bobby Duncan.
Speaking to reporters, Molesley feels Hutchinson has joined a massive Championship club in Derby and believes Southend’s staff deserve credit for their part in his development.
You have to take your hat off to the club for how they nurtured his talent. He’s gone to a massive football club in the championship now and we wish him well. It’s a big opportunity for him.
Hutchinson came through the ranks at Brighton and Hove Albion, before opting to join Southend despite an enticing offer from Czech Republic side Sparta Prague.
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The attacking midfielder is capable of playing through the middle or out wide, and he made 40 first team appearances during his spell at Roots Hall.
Derby have one of the best academies in England right now. Several players have broken through to the first-team squad, and players know they will get chances.
Manager Phillip Cocu is keen to utilise his side’s young stars. Jason Knight, Max Bird, Louie Sibley, Lee Buchanan and Morgan Whittaker are all in or around the first team.
Both Hutchinson and Duncan will know that with the right application with the U23s, it won’t be long until they are drafted up and given a shot at Championship level.
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