If it wasn’t obvious already, Chelsea are struggling to defend crosses. Tosin Adarabioyo is on the chopping block at Stamford Bridge, but might he be the answer to Liam Rosenior’s prayers?
It was Rosenior’s third game in charge that saw Tosin hobble off with an injury. The former Fulham defender had started in Rosenior’s first game and scored before coming on in Rosenior’s second.
But the third saw Tosin suffer a hamstring injury, the 2-0 win over Brentford – Rosenior’s first Premier League game. Since then, Tosin has been forced to watch Chelsea struggle defensively from the sidelines.
Don’t count Tosin out just yet! 😤
Tosin Adarabioyo's number of ground duels vs Burnley
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Tosin is back in training, more than a month after picking up the muscle injury. As things stand, Chelsea are joint-third-worst in the Premier League for goals conceded from crosses. Can Tosin be the answer?
Why Tosin Adarabioyo can solve Liam Rosenior problem
Chelsea have conceded nine goals from crosses, whether that be from set-pieces or open play, in the Premier League. Only the bottom two sides have conceded more, with Chelsea level with Tottenham.
Chelsea's Tosin Adarabioyo speaking in a press conference before a Champions League match against Ajax.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Zian Flemming’s header was the latest on Saturday, stopping Chelsea from winning at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are lacking a centre-back that is going to put his body where it hurts and take responsibility.
Well, £72k-a-week Tosin can be that man. Tosin has won 69.2% of his aerial duels in the Premier League, which puts the former Man City man in the top 20% of defenders. He is Chelsea’s best in the air.
Indeed, Tosin’s average of 5.5 aerial duels won per 90 minutes is third-best in the league, with Tosin only trailing Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt. As soon as he’s fit, Rosenior simply has to start him.
Chelsea would be making a mistake to sell Tosin
A defensive overhaul is expected at centre-back this summer. On the books, Chelsea boasts a plethora of different options, and with new signings expected, plenty will have to be sold to make some room.
Is Tosin the answer to Rosenior’s problems? 👊
Chelsea are third-worst in the Premier League for conceding from crosses.
Currently, Chelsea have Tosin, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Aaron Anselmino, Mamadou Sarr, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato as options in the middle of defence.
Clearly, that needs to change. Disasi’s future at Chelsea is over, while reports claim Chelsea are open to selling Tosin, Chalobah, and Badiashile. There is every chance that Anselmino and maybe Sarr go on loan.
Either Chelsea sign a centre-back who is dominant in the air, or they keep Tosin. Forest’s Murillo and Benfica star Antonio Silva have been linked, but neither are renowned for their heading, like Tosin is.
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