Tosin Adarabioyo is set to complete an emotional return to Stamford Bridge for Tottenham Hotspur against Chelsea this Saturday evening. The 29-year-old centre-back is in line to start after Roberto De Zerbi played down the nature of a knock he suffered during Monday’s 3-1 win over Coventry City.
Adarabioyo featured in the back three for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, but was replaced by Mateus Fernandes after 71 minutes. He was treated for an apparent calf problem, while defender Andy Robertson and forward Omar Marmoush were also withdrawn with apparent injuries.
Speaking to Tottenham’s in-house media after the game, the Spurs boss was asked about the fitness of his two defenders:
“No, nothing important I think. Tosin and Robertson, small problems. They have no problem for Saturday.”
Adarabioyo will face a familiar foe, given he spent two years at Stamford Bridge after joining the Blues from Fulham on a free transfer in 2024. The centre-back made 70 appearances and scored seven goals for the club, and won the Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025. He also captained them for the first time in a Carabao Cup tie in October 2025.
However, the defender fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and made just 16 Premier League appearances, starting just eight of them last season. The Lilywhites completed his transfer to north London on September 1 for a reported £7m plus add-ons.
His knowledge of the attacking threat posed by his opposite numbers could prove key, given he trained daily with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto. Adarabioyo’s aerial prowess should be vital to nullifying Joao Pedro, given he won 70.7 per cent of his aerial duels last season. But it will be the pace of Neto in behind that will test the centre-back, given the Portuguese is in form after scoring twice in last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Everton.
‘A Full-Circle Moment’ – Tosin Adarabioyo on His Stamford Bridge Roots
Saturday’s game will not be the first emotional moment for Adarabioyo at Stamford Bridge given his deep connection with that part of London. The defender was born in the district of Paddington and made his senior debut for Manchester City in an FA Cup tie against the Blues in February 2016.
And when he completed his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2024, the defender spoke on the club’s official website about a ‘full-circle moment’.
“Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there. I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”
Two years on, he is set to return to that ground, this time in a Tottenham shirt rather than the famous Chelsea blue. Adarabioyo will be looking to help De Zerbi’s men break their six-game losing streak in the Premier League against his former club.