Soccer
Super Eagles-eligible defender Tosin Adarabioyo endured a tough outing as Chelsea FC fell 2-1 to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Soccernet.ng reports.
Meanwhile, his performance during the game has raised questions about whether Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle should consider him for Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
Nepa carry our light, I no see the game .
How was Tosin Adarabioyo’s performance?
Should Eric Chelle go for him?
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel (@OgaNlaMedia) February 22, 2025
The Malian tactician will play his debut game as the head coach of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions next month in a must-win encounter that would revive their hopes of qualification.
READ MORE: From John Finch to Éric Chelle: Who are the 37 coaches that have led the Super Eagles?
Per Sofascore, Adarabioyo played 82 minutes but failed to make a significant impact in Chelsea’s attack, providing neither assists nor key passes.
Defensively, he registered seven clearances and three interceptions but struggled in ground duels, losing both of his battles while winning two aerial contests. He also recorded zero successful tackles and was dribbled past once.
Chelsea took an early lead through Enzo Fernández in the 9th minute, but Aston Villa responded strongly, with Marco Asensio scoring twice in the 57th and 89th minutes to complete the comeback victory.
Should Eric Chelle Consider Adarabioyo for the Super Eagles?
With Nigeria set to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in crucial World Cup qualifiers, Eric Chelle is looking to bolster his defensive options.
Adarabioyo’s Premier League experience makes him a good candidate for the Super Eagles’ defence, but his performance against Aston Villa raises concerns about his defensive resilience.
While his passing accuracy (85%) and aerial ability are strong assets, his struggles in duels and lack of tackles might be a red flag for Chelle, who will need solid, physically dominant defenders to secure qualification points.
That said, Adarabioyo’s overall quality cannot be judged solely on his game against Aston Villa, which shows there is room for improvement.
Has Adarabioyo Sworn Allegiance to Play for Nigeria?
There has been no official confirmation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or his representatives about luring the former Fulham star to don the colours of his parents’ country.
READ MORE: EPL: Fulham star invites former Super Eagles man Austin Eguavoen to watch Crystal Palace clash
However, NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen was previously spotted at a Fulham game to watch Adarabioyo, although the defender did not play.
How I spent my Boxing Day – Crystal Palace vs Fulham.
Thanks for the Invite. @TosinAdarabioyo pic.twitter.com/nl0rrUa7WJ
— Austin Eguavoen (@coacheguavoen) December 27, 2022
Despite this, it is suggested that Adarabioyo could have shown his quality to the former Super Eagles coach during club training.
Aside from this, the Chelsea defender has been seen wearing several Nigerian-themed outfits, sparking questions about his allegiance.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.
Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.
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