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

Robin Bairner

Updated: 7 Jun 2024 04:35 CDT
13 min read

Tosin Adarabioyo, Fulham, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea have announced the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from West London rivals Fulham.

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The central defender was also heavily linked with Newcastle, while Manchester United threatened to make a late move, before Adarabioyo agreed to sign for the Blues.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported that the player waited until the end of the season to see who qualified for Europe before deciding to join Enzo Maresca’s future side.

STATS

Tosin Adarabioyo

D, M (C)

Fulham

Tosin Adarabioyo

D, M (C)

Fulham

25

Games
2

Goals
0

Assists

But why have Chelsea made the former England youth international their first summer signing?

According to Jacobs, there are a string of reasons.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

“Chelsea feel they need depth and proven Premier League quality ahead of a season that could have 65+ games. And Chelsea may yet add another centre-back if Trevoh Chalobah is sold,” he says.

“Tosin adds height and aerial prowess and Enzo Maresca is familiar with him from their time at Manchester City. #CFC's recruitment team also feel Tosin has matured significantly since then.

“Other factor, with Chelsea expecting to compete on many fronts in the coming seasons, is Tosin's relatively strong injury record. Missed three months through groin surgery early last season, but has averaged 30 league appearances per season since 2018/19.”

Among the Premier League’s elite with few real weaknesses

Chelsea would not have signed Adarabioyo if he was not a player who they felt could perform at the top level. And he certainly can. Data analytics firm SciSports rate his performances in the 2023/24 Premier League as being the third-best among centre-backs.

Indeed, he is a player that Maresca already knows from his time with Manchester City, and according to SciSports, he is already of a standard to play in Chelsea’s first team.

The data experts indicate that he is of a very similar standard to Chalobah, who could be sold in order to boost the club’s financial position. Even if the academy product stays, Adarabioyo will be able to slot into Chelsea’s rotation in this area after 39-year-old Thiago Silva exited the club.

Adarabioyo vs Premier League centre-backs: 2023/24

He is also strong in many elements of the game. Among centre-backs, he rated among the top third in passing, dribbling and finishing last season in an offensive sense, while he was grouped among this elite level in prevention, pressing and defensive positioning.

Adarabioyo also posted few clear weaknesses, though he was prone to losing the ball in his own half and did not tackle particularly well compared to his peers.

Nevertheless, on a free transfer, he looks a very shrewd addition to Chelsea’s squad as they approach a busy campaign. He may even prove to be one of the bargains of the season.