Enzo Maresca made several changes for Chelsea’s Conference League final tie against Real Betis on Wednesday.
After helping Chelsea to beat Nottingham Forest last Sunday, the likes of Reece James, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo were dropped to the bench at the Wroclaw Stadium.
In a post-match interview, Enzo Maresca made it clear that he was trying to protect James after all of his injury problems, explaining his omission from the starting XI.
But there have been no fitness concerns surrounding Adarabioyo and Colwill this season, so some may have found their exclusions surprising. From the bench, though, Colwill was able to make an observation that helped Chelsea to win the game.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo staying at Chelsea
Colwill has been a key player for Chelsea this season so will not be going anywhere in the summer, and the same goes for Adarabioyo.
According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, despite his Conference League final snub, the 27-year-old is happy at Chelsea and is not looking for a move.
Cole Palmer wants Tosin Adarabioyo to win Conference League Player of the Season.
Tosin is very happy at Chelsea, not looking to move, very close friends with fellow 'Manc' Cole Palmer and settled well. Nicknamed 'uncle' by some of the younger players and cited as a leader by… https://t.co/M4fGhfoaYX
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 29, 2025
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While Adarabioyo has not been an automatic starter under Maresca, he has still played a lot of football in the current campaign. In total, the central defender has made 37 appearances across all competitions.
Tosin Adarabioyo’s 2024/25 season Appearances Goals Assists Yellow cards Red cards
Premier League 22 1 1 4 0
Conference League 10 1 0 3 0
Conference League qualifiers 2 0 0 0 0
FA Cup 2 2 0 0 0
Carabao Cup 1 0 0 0 0
Total 37 4 1 7 0
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Chelsea could bring Marc Guehi back to west London, so there could be even more competition for Adarabioyo to deal with next term.
For now, though, it looks like the former Fulham man will be remaining at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Tosin Adarabioyo has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs
Had Adarabioyo decided to leave Chelsea this summer, it is unlikely that he would have been short of suitors.
In January, it was reported that Brighton & Hove Albion were interested in Adarabioyo, though no formal offer was made for the ex-Manchester City player in the end.
Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham were said to be keen on Adarabioyo as well, but again, no offer was ever presented for his services.
The Chelsea star would have won the Europa League there but has at least earned a Conference League medal with the Blues.