Chelsea are expected to announce the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham. The 26-year-old defender reportedly passed his medical this week with Les Bleus.
Adarabioyo is preparing for Enzo Maresca’s first signing as Chelsea’s new manager, after turning down a new contract at Craven Cottage. The departure of veteran Thiago Silva and future Trevoh Chalobah, who is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar, paves the way for Adarabioyo’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The centre-back already has the experience of betting on a big club, having gone through Manchester City’s outstanding youth academy. He spent three seasons in the first team between 2015 and 2018, where he coached through Pep Guardiola.
After his loan spell at West Brom and Blackburn Rovers, he signed for Fulham in 2020. And Guardiola spoke enthusiastically of then-teenager Adarabioyo in August 2016, praising his attributes and highlighting those of his first team.
The Spaniard said: “A month or two ago, when we finished the season, I gained a lot of highlights about the academy players; on Tosin, Brandon Barker, Bersant Celina, Manu García and Aleix García.
“We had a concept about them and we trained with them before the season. Tosin has many steps to improve. It’s done, but it has all the qualities.
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“It’s fast, it’s faster than other people can believe. It’s strong in the air. He has the quality to look at the line for the next step, the next pass, but he has a lot of things to improve and I hope I can do it. “help him expand his skills. “
Adarabioyo has been a key figure at Fulham for the past 4 years, making 132 appearances in all competitions. He played 20 Premier League games last season and finished 13th.
In the 2021/22 season, he played an important role in helping Fuham win the league title with 41 league games.
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Adarabioyo is one of several signings that Maresca can complete after being shown as Chelsea manager. Les Bleus have already been connected with many players since the end of last season, adding Benjamin Sesko and Michael Olise.
Sesko has been the city’s statement so far in the move-in window, and Arsenal are also interested in his service. Meanwhile, Olise has also caught the eye of Manchester United, either club will likely have to shell out around £60m to keep him away from Crystal Palace.
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