However, it did show Enzo Maresca his side was capable of grinding out a cagey defensive display on a wind-gushed evening in Merseyside.
While Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, and Pedro Neto would be looking to quickly move on from the game against the Toffees, the Blues' defensive pairing of Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo would be glad they were able to grab a clean sheet as a duo.
Adarabioyo was slotted into the starting lineup after [Wesley Fofana](https://theprideoflondon.com/colwill-and-fofana-how-tactical-dynamics-create-chelsea-s-ideal-defensive-partnership-01ja5kj35jkv) and Benoit Badiashile suffered injuries. Although he has had to wait for his opportunities in the Premier League, the defender played like he has always been a starter alongside Colwill.
Although it may not seem like Colwill and Adarabioyo have played a lot together this season, the duo have started together in three games and have only conceded once. Their first time as a defensive pairing was against West Ham, which they absolutely bossed and managed to keep a clean sheet in.
The duo had to wait for over two months to get their next game together, but were brilliant in the 2-1 win against Brentford. Despite conceding a goal, the common consensus was that they were brilliant and assertive in the backline.
This continued in the draw against Everton as the duo managed to contain the Everton attack to keep Chelsea's eight game unbeaten run in the Premier League alive.
Could Tosin Adarabioyo be the righftul defensive partner of Levi Colwill ?
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Chelsea signed [Tosin Adarabioyo](https://theprideoflondon.com/posts/tosin-adarabioyo-to-chelsea-what-this-means-for-the-blues-01hytwn4f3wv) on a free transfer from Fulham. Aged 27, he was not someone the Blues would have brought in given their policy of signing players only under the age of 23.
Fofana was always the favourite to start alongside Colwill as his talent was known to all. However, Adarabioyo knew he had an important role since he first came to Chelsea. The 27-year-old is naturally one of the leaders in the locker room given his age, which is why his entry in the starting lineup has been seamless.
Adarabioyo has been playing some great football in the Conference League, which has warranted a promotion to Premier League minutes. However, injuries to Fofana and Badiashile meant the English defender would be the guaranteed started alongside Colwill for Premier League games.
In two consecutive games Adarabioyo has managed to make some goal-saving blocks and interceptions which have helped Chelsea massively. Against Everton, Iliman Ndiaye was close to breaking the deadlock, but his attempt was met by Tosin whose towering presence prevented the goal to keep the Blues in the game.
One of Tosin's biggest assets as a centre-back is his ability to play the long balls accurately. He is averaging 50% success rate on his long balls and a 92% success on his passing, which is sensational for a centre-back. Although Fofana and Colwill looked like a promising duo, it seems like Adarabioyo is providing Chelsea with some much-needed stability and experience in the backline.
Fofana and Badiashile are going to be out for a long time. While Chelsea have not missed them significantly due to Adarabioyo, only time will tell if he will be the long-term solution to the Blues' centre-back problem.