Chelsea have a void in their defence after deciding not to renew Thiago Silva’s contract.
Thiago Silva will now be joining Fluminense on a free transfer, and Chelsea are trying to plug the hole he has left with a free transfer of their own.
The Blues are set to sign Tosin Adarabioyo, with it being reported that he had his medical on Tuesday.
Since then, Fulham have announced their retained list and the central defender is not on it, all but confirming his move to their west London rivals.
As it stands, then, Enzo Maresca will go into next season with Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah all as his centre-back options. However, the last name on that list could be sold this summer.
Chelsea’s thoughts on signing Tosin Adarabioyo
A free transfer with Premier League experience, Chelsea will feel that Adarabioyo is good business.
At the same time, though, they appear to have acknowledged something else.
According to the Daily Mail, there is recognition that the 26-year-old will not necessarily be a like-for-like replacement for Silva.
Whatever the case, Adarabioyo could be good addition to this Chelsea squad, especially if Chalobah also goes on to depart the club.
Can Tosin Adarabioyo replace Thiago Silva?
Adarabioyo will replace the body that Chelsea are obviously losing following Silva’s exit.
However, the club are right to recognise that he is not going to be a like-for-like replacement for the Brazilian.
Silva is a real leader with a wealth of experience at the top level. He was Paris Saint-Germain captain and has earned 113 caps for his national team.
Unless Chelsea are going to go out and sign someone like Virgil van Dijk, that cannot be replaced.
Adarabioyo can try and may turn out to be a really useful signing, especially if the likes of Fofana and Badiashile keep on picking up injuries. But he is not going to be Silva’s successor.