“In training, he’s the referee” – Why Nigeria target Adarabioyo stands out at Chelsea on and off the pitch

Marc Cucurella has lifted the lid on what makes Tosin Adarabioyo such a unique presence at Chelsea, Soccernet.ng reports.

Spain international Cucurella has describing the Nigerian-eligible defender as one of the loudest and most influential figures in the Chelsea dressing room.

Adarabioyo, 27, joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Fulham in the summer of 2024 and immediately slotted into Enzo Maresca's plans.

In his first season, he helped the Blues clinch the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, to boost his growing stature at Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella, who has played alongside the centre-back since his arrival, says Adarabioyo’s voice carries as much weight in training as his defending does on matchdays.

“Probably Tosin [Adarabioyo],” Cucurella told Chelseafc.com when asked who the squad’s loudest player is.

“In training, he’s the referee; he loves to speak. He’s the man who always has something to say. Just in training, he’s the referee, he puts his own rules, he decides everything!”

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The former Barcelona and Getafe defender even believes Adarabioyo could handle an emergency switch of positions if required.

“Probably I would choose myself, but if not, I maybe choose Tosin because he’s very tall and loud, so he can make good saves,” he joked when asked which outfield player could do a turn in goal.

Adarabioyo: Nigeria or England?

Despite his brilliance for Chelsea, Adarabioyo’s international future remains a subject of debate. Born in London to Nigerian parents, he has represented England extensively at youth level but never made the step up to the senior side.

The Chelsea defender remains eligible to switch allegiance to Nigeria and has previously hinted at the possibility of wearing the Super Eagles shirt.

In 2020, he revealed he was open to featuring at the World Cup with either England or Nigeria. He visited Nigeria recently and has admitted he is close to making a decision on his international future.

For now, Nigeria boss Eric Chelle continues to rely on William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem at centre-back. But Adarabioyo’s form in Chelsea blue keeps the door wide open for a call-up.