Chelsea's latest signing spells the end for homegrown star - but that's a mistake

James Shearman

• Updated: 7 Jun 2024 12:43 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have today announced the signing of defender Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham.

Adarabioyo did not cost the West London club a transfer fee, as his contract at Craven Cottage came to an end this summer.

The centre-back has penned a four-year deal that will expire at the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

READ MORE: The Premier League's most underrated player! Why Chelsea have signed Tosin Adarabioyo

"Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there," he told the club's official website.

"I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go."

With Newcastle and Manchester United also interested in his services, the Blues' first signing of the summer appears to be a shrewd one.

However, it is not all good news for Chelsea fans, as Adarabioyo's arrival probably spells the end for one of their top homegrown players.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

Chelsea shouldn't sell Trevoh Chalobah

It has long been reported that Chelsea will look to sell Trevoh Chalobah this summer, despite his impressive form towards the end of the 2023-24 season.

Indeed, the reason that the 24-year-old is up for sale has nothing to do with his performances.

The Blues need to sell players in order to comply with the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Given that sales of academy products go down as 'pure profit' in the books, as they did not cost a fee to sign, these are the players Chelsea will look to offload first.

This would be a mistake, however, as Chalobah could easily spend the best part of the next decade at Stamford Bridge.

Should he leave, he would go on to become the next Fikayo Tomori, Nathan Ake or Marc Guehi - all of which the Blues should have kept.

Instead, Enzo Maresca's side should look to sell Axel Disasi, who is not up to the standard that the Italian manager will require.

And, if an academy product must be sold, Ian Maatsen is a player who would not be as big of a miss as Chalobah.