Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that he rejected a call-up to represent Nigeria, asserting that he has never turned down the chance to play for the Super Eagles.
Adarabioyo clarified his position in a post-match interview following Chelsea’s impressive 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, where he addressed the mounting speculation surrounding his international career.
The 27-year-old center-back stated that “both of those pieces of news are pretty false. I’ve never turned down Nigeria. And I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I’ll be going to Nigeria.”
This statement came as a response to claims that he had declined opportunities to join the Nigerian national team, which have circulated in recent weeks.
Having joined Chelsea from Fulham at the beginning of the current season, Adarabioyo emphasized that his primary focus over the past few years has been on establishing a solid club career.
He elaborated on this commitment by noting that during his final season at Fulham, while there were informal discussions about his potential international commitments, no formal plans or decisions were ever made.
“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told them I just want to focus on club football.
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“I was in my last year at Fulham and I just wanted to have a solid run. Now that I’m at Chelsea in my first year, I want to concentrate on that as well,” he explained, underscoring his dedication to his club duties.
Adarabioyo, who has previously represented England at various youth levels, also highlighted his eligibility to play for Nigeria through his Nigerian parents.
He hinted that a decision regarding his international allegiance may be on the horizon, saying that “and I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”
His comments come at a time when Nigerian football authorities are actively seeking to recruit talents from the diaspora who are eligible to enhance the national team’s prospects as they prepare for upcoming major competitions, further adding to the urgency of his decision-making process.
