Sam Hutchinson's big opportunity at Chelsea?

Will the young defender beat the odds to start the season at right-back for Chelsea?

Sam Hutchinson has quite a remarkable story to his career, and he has barely started it. After retiring from football age 21 due to a persistent knee injury, he was retained as part of the Chelsea setup as a prospective coach.

Last year he made the unlikely decision to cut short his early retirement and give his career one more go. So far it looks to have paid off, making a first team appearance for Chelsea late last season and featuring in pre-season.

The young defender will certainly not expect to be a first choice within Chelsea's multi-million pound team, but equally will be ready to take any opportunities which come his way.

One of those may be just around the corner. Hutchinson can play at centre-back or right-back, and it is the latter where his big chance looks destined to arrive.

Chelsea have an issue presently at right-back, heightened by Branislav Ivanovic's sending off in the Community Shield at Villa Park yesterday.

The club have been searching for a right-back all summer after allowing Jose Bosingwa to depart on a free, and with one week until kick-off, the situation remains in limbo.

Gregory van der Wiel, Cesar Azipilicueta and Maicon are three names who have been linked with filling the position, but no progress has been made on any deal.

Ivanovic is set to be suspended for three games courtesy of his straight red, missing matches with Wigan, Reading, and Newcastle.

So who will take his place? Chelsea's options are limited if they cannot tie up a new signing in time for kick-off this coming weekend.

There is the ageing but consistent Paulo Ferreira, the option of switching yesterday's goalscorer Ryan Bertrand temporarily to right-back, and then there is Hutchinson.

If Hutchinson is handed his opportunity he will be determined not to let his manager, teammates, and himself down. Careers are often made on seizing unlikely opportunities, and this could just be his chance.

Who should start at right-back for Chelsea next weekend?

UPDATE: Branislav Ivanovic has avoided a three-match ban and will be available to start against Wigan.

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.