2012 UEFA Champions League winner, John Mikel Obi, has criticized the club's signing of Tosin Adarabioyo, claiming the defender is not up to the standard required to play for Chelsea.
Mikel argued that Adarabioyo, who joined the Blues from Fulham ahead of the 2024/25 season, lacks the quality to compete at the highest level and would not even be a target for rivals like Arsenal or Manchester City.
Mikel contrasted the purchase with Arsenal’s acquisition of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, whom the 2012 UEFA Champions League winner believes would have been perfect for the Chelsea squad.
“Arteta… has gone in and brought in a couple of players like Calafiori, who I think is a very good defender.
“I think it comes down to the club buying players who can improve the team—a Calafiori, a top centre-back—that’s what we need at Chelsea,” Mikel Obi said on his ObiOne Podcast
Mikel Obi: Tosin Adarabioyo more suited for a mid-table team
Mikel went on to state categorically that Nigerian defender Tosin Adarabioyo is not at the level required for a club with title aspirations.
“We need that at Chelsea; you can’t go and get Tosin.
“Sorry Tosin, but he’s come in as a free player from Fulham, and he’s gonna improve Chelsea Football Club? No!
“We need a Calafiori, that’s what we need—a big, strong defender who can play out from the back, confident enough to go out with the ball, and we’ve not got that.”
Since making his Premier League debut with Fulham in 2020, Adarabioyo has made 78 appearances and scored three goals in the English top flight.
