No matter how deep your squad is, and no matter how well you’re doing in terms of injuries, football will always find a way to test you, and Chelsea are being reminded of that now.
The Blues not only had an A team, they had a B team too, and subs for both. But when you get to this time of year, injuries inevitably start to mount up and you’re left scrambling.
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Tosin Adarabioyo shines at Everton away. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Tosin Adarabioyo makes a crucial block against Everton.
Tosin Adarabioyo playing in the Conference League. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
That’s why the move to sign Tosin Adarabioyo last summer was a “why not?” deal, as Malik Ouzia of the Evening Standard put it. Available on a free transfer, there is a reality in which he features only in the Conference League. Even then, given he’s apparently on reasonable wages and didn’t require a fee, it could still have been a sensible move.
Injuries strike – but Tosin is on hand to step up and step in
Tosin Adarabioyo on the ball in a good showing against Everton. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Tosin Adarabioyo on the ball in a good showing against Everton. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Instead, predictably, both Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile have gone down injured. Meanwhile Axel Disasi is regularly needed at right back, as yesterday, to fill in while Reece James is out. That means Tosin has had to step up over the last few games, and he’s done really well.
His nerves from the friendlies in the summer and his early season appearances have faded as he’s settled into a more regular role in the back line, and yesterday against Everton we saw the best of him, culminating in that excellent match-saving block.
Fofana has missed 4 Premier League games already and doesn’t seem to be coming back anytime soon. Badiashile’s injury seemed more minor, but we don’t have much information about that either.
Tosin has stepped up and potentially faces a really extended run in the team. A “why not?” deal is proving essential to continuing our success this season.