By- Omavua Akatugba
New Chelsea signing Tosin Adarabioyo has set the record straight regarding long-standing speculation about his international future, particularly reports suggesting he once turned down a chance to play for Nigeria.
Speaking during a press conference following Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League triumph, Adarabioyo was asked about reports from 2020 claiming he had rejected a call-up to the Super Eagles, and a 2022 statement that appeared to signal his readiness to represent Nigeria.
In response, the 26-year-old defender firmly denied both claims.
“Both of those pieces of news were pretty false,” he said. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I will be going to Nigeria.”
Adarabioyo explained that during the previous season—his final year at Fulham—his priority was club football. He revealed that while there had been “a little bit of conversation,” he made it clear he wanted to stay focused on his performance at the club level.
“I told the club I had to focus on club football. I was in the last year at Fulham and I just wanted to have a solid run,” he explained. “Now I’m at Chelsea, and it’s my first year, which again I wanted to concentrate on.”
However, the former Manchester City academy graduate hinted that the time to make a decision on his international allegiance is drawing near.
“I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”
Tosin, who is eligible to play for both England and Nigeria, has previously featured for England at youth level but is yet to earn a senior international cap.
With his move to Chelsea marking a new chapter in his career, fans of the Super Eagles will be watching closely as he weighs his international future.
