There has been much ado over Chelsea's credentials as Premier League title challengers this season, but Wednesday evening's defeat at Leeds United served as a sobering reminder that Arsenal are frustratingly further along in their project.
Enzo Maresca's multi-title-winning maiden campaign in the Stamford Bridge dugout underscored his capacity to lead the Blues over a number of successful years, and there has been much to like about Chelsea this term.
However, it doesn't feel like they will get their paws on the league title just yet, with the matchless Moises Caicedo illuminated once again in his absence, suspended for the loss.
The Gunners are nine points ahead at the summit, and Chelsea have improvements still to be made across a number of areas. Central defence is among the priorities, to be sure, with Tosin Adarabioyo's error-strewn display at Elland Road underscoring that argument.
Tosin's performance vs Leeds
Tosin has faced heavy criticism since blundering late on against Leeds, the ball swept from underneath him by Noah Okafor, leading to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late goal to condemn Chelsea to a 3-1 defeat.
Tosin vs Leeds
This emphasises the need for defensive additions at Chelsea. Maresca has been left with a number of not-quite-perfect options in his rearguard this season, and the 28-year-old Tosin has sadly fallen below expectations, actually winning only one of four duels on the evening. His error was not an isolated incident.
He could do more in the build-up, too. The 28-year-old likes to get on the ball, but he isn't as progressive as some of his positional peers and this runs counter to the possession-based, flowing football Maresca has implemented.
It's clear that the former Fulham star needs to be withdrawn from the starting line-up, but Chelsea don't exactly have an overload of central defensive options, with Levi Colwill still injured and Wesley Fofana in and out of the team.
It will come as no surprise that Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are gearing up for a big-money move in 2026.
Chelsea lining up Tosin ugrade
According to Football Insider, Chelsea have learned that it is likely to cost them £80m to prise Murillo away from Nottingham Forest next year, with the Brazilian centre-back also attracting the vested interests of Barcelona.
murillo-forest
Murillo, 23, is into his third year in the Premier League, and he's thriving. Instrumental in building Forest up to European contenders, his terrifying physicality and aggressiveness are exactly what Chelsea need.
More to the point, he's fostering an interesting technical profile, and while Chelsea are eager to complete a deal in January, it may be that they have to wait until the end of the term.
In any case, he would prove an upgrade on Tosin
Why Murillo would be a Tosin upgrade
Murillo just keeps adding layers to his skillset. Hailed as "one of the best defenders in the Premier League" by some experts on Brazilian football.
murillo-nottingham-forest
Curiously, he is not the tallest, standing just shy of 6 feet tall. Nonetheless, Murillo is a force to be reckoned with, a monstrous defensive presence.
And, in spite of the upheaval at Forest this season, he has remained a steely presence in the backline, albeit less creative now that Sean Dyche has settled into his seat.
Murillo's Premier League Form
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Clean sheets
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels (won)*
Errors made
Stats via Sofascore
Statistics can be misleading, and though Murillo isn't directly creating chances for his teammates this season, he remains one of the division's most dynamic and well-rounded centre-halves, ranking among the top 5% of peers in the Premier League this season for interceptions and blocks, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as provided by FBref data.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
His enterprising take on the defensive game is something that Tosin simply doesn't boast in his locker to anywhere near the same standard. Moreover, the 23-year-old is five years Tosin's junior, and thus has so much scope for growth.
A goalscorer, protector, enforcer and leader, all wrapped into one, there is little question that Murillo would settle into Maresca's starting line-up at Chelsea, surely at Tosin's expense.
The English centre-half has been an astute addition after joining Chelsea on a free, but now it is time for that ruthless streak that the west Londoners have shown so many times before.
By implementing that success-first strategy, it will only elevate Maresca's project.
Tosin-Chelsea-Leeds-reaction Related
As bad as Tosin: Maresca's 4/10 flop must never start for Chelsea again
Chelsea's title hopes seemingly went up in smoke away at Leeds United.