Why did Chelsea go for Tosin Adarabioyo instead of other alternatives?

Chelsea had a 2023/24 season with full of ups and downs. As the West London club finished 6th in the Premier League despite spending most of the season outside the top 6 position. The Blues picked up the pace and qualified for the  UEFA Europa Conference League group stage. Despite playing well at the business end of the league they sacked their coach Mauricio Pochettino. For the upcoming season they agreed to the terms with Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca. 

Ahead of the next season they have a pursuit of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, as the deal has almost been done and the signing will happen in upcoming days or coming week. He has been the first signing for the side under the Italian manager. Despite interest from Newcastle United the young center back decided to join at Stamford Bridge.

The new manager and the defender has been familiar to this since their times of Manchester City. He will be a perfect replacement for the departed Thiago Silva as his physical attributes, alongwith with his defensive skills, and make him a promising addition to the squad. What makes the club more happy is that they did not have to pay any kind of transfer fee to Fulham. 

Adarabioyo's game suits Chelsea

His game suits the manager as well, due to the height and physical presence have seen him emerge as a dominant defender who is adept at winning aerial duals and effecting headed clearances, while simultaneously posing as a goal threat from set-pieces in the opposition box. In the 2020-21 season he recorded more clearances than any other player in the division.

Adarabioyo, has a good composure with the ball suitable to a possession-based style of play, and boasts good positional awareness and reading of the game in defensive situations. The fans also await for the official announcement as he will turn out promising a blend of stability and dynamism in the heart of the defence for the upcoming years in the club.