Tosin Adarabioyo is one central defender Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has turned to following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury.
In the past, Maresca has explained that Colwill is the centre-half responsible for Chelsea’s build-up play from the back.
However, with Colwill unavailable, he has tried to use Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong in the 22-year-old’s role.
Who was your player of the match vs Burnley?
Chelsea fans have not been happy with Adarabioyo this season, but he was excellent against Burnley, particularly in one very important area.
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo on the ball
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo passing at Turf Moor was excellent
Understandably, Pedro Neto, who scored Chelsea’s opener, and the game’s player of the match Andrey Santos have received a lot of credit for the victory. But Adarabioyo also played his part.
According to Sofascore, Adarabioyo completed 102 of the 110 passes that he attempted, giving him a passing accuracy of 93%.
Adarabioyo also completed seven out of nine long balls, so his passing covered different ranges. Ultimately, it helped Chelsea to progress the play.
Tosin Adarabioyo vs Burnley Total
Minutes 90
Accurate passes 102/110 (93%)
Passes in opposition half (accurate) 18/23 (78%)
Long balls (accurate) 7/9 (78%)
Tackles (won) 6 (2)
Clearances 4
Ground duels (won) 6 (6)
Aerial duels (won) 6 (4)
Dribbled past 0
He really caught Rob Green’s attention, with the former Chelsea goalkeeper confident that the ex- Fulham man can step into Colwill’s shoes.
Sky Sports Pundit Rob Green before the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Rob Green suggests Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill are similar
Green described Adarabioyo as “the chosen one” to replace Colwill following his performance against Burnley.
Speaking on Match of the Day, the ex-England goalkeeper said: “He’s the chosen one since the long-term injury absentee of Levi Colwill. And we’re looking at him to say, ‘Well, who’s going to progress it? How are you going to progress it?’ He was afforded time on the ball.”
Despite all of the injuries that Chelsea have had at the back this season, they have done really well in defence. Their clean sheet away at Burnley was their third consecutive one.
It will now be intriguing to see if Adarabioyo and the rest of Chelsea’s backline can maintain that solidity on Tuesday. They take on one of the best attacking teams in Europe, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
After drawing 2-2 with Qarabag last time out in the Champions League, Maresca’s side really need a win. They will have to secure one without Cole Palmer, though, after the attacking midfielder fractured his toe at home, ruling him out of the European tie.