Fulham Defender Tosin Adarabioyo Close to Signing for Chelsea

Chelsea's defence was an area that needed large-scale reinforcements as the Blues shipped in 63 goals this season. And they have responded by closing in on a deal for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

According to an update from transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Adarabioyo. Medical tests have also been booked and will take place next week. The deal will cost nothing as Adarabioyo joins as a free agent.

On the managerial front, Chelsea are soon expected to announce the appointment of former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca. Adarabioyo will be the first signing of Maresca as he hopes to fix Chelsea's leaky defence with him. The 2023/24 season proved to be Chelsea's worst in terms of goals conceded. Before this season, the most they ever conceded was 55 in 1994/95 and 1996/97. Chelsea fans will be hoping Tosin Adarabioyo can make an immediate impact, unlike their recent signings Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo.

Adarabioyo was a product of the Manchester City academy and made his senior debut with them. Later, he joined Fulham in 2020 in a deal worth £2 million. The 26-year-old English center-back is an excellent aerial threat and is adept with the ball at his feet. This should help him to fit into incoming manager Enzo Maresca's playing style. Adarabioyo also has an excellent attitude which is the first quality any manager would want in his players. The former City defender's professionalism had even earned the admiration of Guardiola.

"He is a nice guy, his mind is open, he listens, he trains every day like it’s the last training of his life and I like to work with these kinds of players a lot."

- Pep Guardiola

Adarbioyo's arrival might signal the end of Trevoh Chalobah's Chelsea career as he is believed to be a target for Chelsea's Premier League rivals Manchester United.