Chelsea Football Club defender Tosin Adarabioyo has revealed that he is considering playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the future. The 27-year-old centre-back made this statement known during a post-match news conference after Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunisie at the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia, U.S.
Adarabioyo, who scored Chelsea’s first goal in the win over Esperance de Tunisie, emphasized that the decision to play for Nigeria is something he is actively considering. “That is a question I have answered quite a bit recently, yeah, it is something that we are looking into in the future,” Adarabioyo said. “It is a conversation I want to have; we will see how that goes.”
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Adarabioyo is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria. Although he has represented England at youth levels, he has not earned a senior call-up. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly been interested in Adarabioyo, with technical director Augustine Eguavoen attending one of Fulham’s games to assess his suitability for the Super Eagles.
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The NFF has stated that Adarabioyo must show interest in playing for the Super Eagles before he can be considered. According to reports, Adarabioyo told former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro last year that he was not ready to make a switch. If he wants to play for Nigeria now, he knows what to do, the NFF said.
Tosin Adarabioyo(photo credit: Getty images)
Adarabioyo’s potential arrival could be timely for Nigeria, who are rebuilding ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. With his calmness on the ball and aerial prowess, he could bring a new dimension to the Super Eagles’ backline. The Super Eagles’ current defensive lineup is aging, with mainstays William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Semi Ajayi, and Kenneth Omeruo all over 30, prompting a shift towards younger options.
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As Adarabioyo weighs his options, his decision on his international allegiance could be imminent. With the FIFA World Cup qualification looming, Nigeria might face stiff competition, and Adarabioyo’s choice could significantly impact the team’s chances. For now, Adarabioyo’s focus remains on Chelsea’s upcoming game against Benfica in the knockout stage of the Club World Cup.
