Calum McFarlane led Chelsea to a positive result on Sunday following their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
However, the Chelsea interim manager has admitted that he was helped by the more senior players in the dressing room.
It was his changes that ultimately secured the Blues a point, though. The introduction of Andrey Santos, for example, really changed the game.
How good was Andrey Santos against Manchester City? đź‘Ź
Andrey Santos' pass completion rate vs Man City
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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McFarlane thought Santos was “exceptional” after coming on in the second half, but the midfielder is not the only player he has been speaking about.
Tosin Adarabioyo issues instructions during Chelsea vs Ajax
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Tosin Adarabioyo helped keep Chelsea together after Enzo Maresca split
Tosin Adarabioyo was an unused substitute at the Etihad, but McFarlane has credited the central defender and a few others for the team’s performance.
According to McFarlane, Adarabioyo, captain Reece James and goalscorer Enzo Fernandez kept the team together ahead of the match following Enzo Maresca’s departure.
Speaking to football.london and other outlets in his post-match press conference, he said: “Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision.
“So the character that they’ve shown in the last two days, the character that they’ve shown today, Reece is a big one, like Reece, Tosin, Enzo. They’ve really dragged the group together because everyone thought we were coming here to lose.”
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
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Despite all of the injury problems that Chelsea have had this season, Adarabioyo has only made five starts in the Premier League.
He has not actually featured in the English top flight since his shocker against Leeds United at the start of December.
Adarabioyo made a mistake that led to Leeds scoring, but that has not stopped McFarlane from relying on him in the dressing room.
Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane applauds the fans with Reece James
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Fresh start for Tosin Adarabioyo
In the end, Maresca lost trust in Adarabioyo, so the 28-year-old may welcome Liam Rosenior’s arrival.
It is being widely reported that Rosenior will be Maresca’s permanent successor, meaning a fresh start for Adarabioyo and Chelsea’s other fringe players.
The Blues’ next game is against Adarabioyo’s former club Fulham. Wesley Fofana only had a fever, so he should be back for the match. Therefore, it is unlikely that Adarabioyo starts.
Rosenior or whoever is in charge could go with Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah or perhaps Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile. Clearly, though, Adarabioyo can still be an asset in the dressing room.
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