{"id":1165,"date":"2026-08-14T05:15:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T05:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1165"},"modified":"2026-08-14T05:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T05:15:27","slug":"chelsea-critics-will-be-scoffing-at-what-sporting-directors-once-said-about-tosin-adarabioyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1165","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea critics will be scoffing at what sporting directors once said about Tosin Adarabioyo"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Understandably, two of Chelsea\u2019s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, were quite pleased with the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo in 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adarabioyo<\/a> is an experienced central defender who joined Chelsea<\/a> on a free transfer from west London rivals Fulham.<\/p>\n

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In short, he was a low-risk, high-reward signing. On paper, it was one of the bargains of the summer, with Chelsea not having to pay a single penny for his signature.<\/p>\n

Yet there were some who questioned whether Adarabioyo would be able to make the step up. Winstanley<\/a> and Stewart<\/a> certainly thought he could!<\/p>\n

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Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge<\/a>, they told Chelsea\u2019s official club website<\/a>: \u201cWe are delighted to bring Tosin to Chelsea. Throughout his career, he has showcased his maturity and defensive qualities and has gained a wealth of experience in the Premier League<\/a> in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is ready to make the step up to Chelsea and work alongside the talented players in our squad. We look forward to Tosin joining up with us for pre-season.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his first season at Chelsea, Adarabioyo certainly was adjusting to life at one of Europe\u2019s top outfits. He had some solid games in the Premier League and was a key figure in the club\u2019s successful Conference League<\/a> campaign.<\/p>\n

Adarabioyo also helped Chelsea to win the Club World Cup<\/a> after making four appearances and scoring one goal in the tournament. However, since then, the former Fulham man has had quite a fall from grace.<\/p>\n

He really struggled last season and did not look convincing in Chelsea\u2019s recent pre-season tour at all. Winstanley and Stewart spoke about his defensive qualities, but one-v-one, he has been very poor for about a year now.<\/p>\n

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For someone who stands at 6\u20195\u2033, you would also expect Adarabioyo to be more dominant.<\/p>\n

Chelsea\u2019s critics and others who really scrutinised his move to Stamford Bridge will probably find Winstanley and Stewart\u2019s words quite entertaining.<\/p>\n

They will feel that their doubts were justified as Chelsea now contemplate selling the Manchester City academy product to another Premier League club.<\/p>\n

At this point, a move would be good for Adarabioyo, who will not be a starter at Chelsea this upcoming season. Levi Colwill is fit, while the club have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace to potentially partner the England international in a back four.<\/p>\n

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