AFCON 2025
Chelsea centre-back, Tosin Adarabioyo has addressed longstanding speculation surrounding his international future, confirming that he is now ready to make a definitive decision on his national team allegiance.
The 27-year-old defender, who joined Chelsea from Fulham on a free transfer this summer, spoke candidly following the Blues’ 4–1 triumph over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
In his post-match remarks to Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba, Adarabioyo refuted claims that he previously rejected approaches from Nigeria.
“Both of those pieces of news are pretty false. I’ve never turned down Nigeria. And I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I’ll be going to Nigeria,” he clarified.
He explained that while informal discussions with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had occurred, he opted to focus on club commitments due to the significance of his final year at Fulham and the transition to Chelsea.
“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told them I just want to focus on club football,” he said. “I was in my last year at Fulham and I just wanted to have a solid run.
Now I’m at Chelsea, and I wanted to concentrate on my first season here. I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Adarabioyo remains eligible to represent either England or Nigeria. A former England youth international, he featured prominently from U16 to U19 levels, but has not donned the Three Lions shirt since 2015.
Despite consistent performances across stints at Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers, and Fulham, a senior England call-up has yet to materialize.
Now a European trophy winner with Chelsea, Adarabioyo’s remarks indicate that a pivotal decision on his international future, potentially in favour of Nigeria, is imminent.
