Following his team’s Conference League victory, Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo clarified rumors surrounding his international football allegiance in an interview with a Nigerian journalist.
Adarabioyo, 27, dismissed reports from 2020 claiming he rejected an opportunity to play for Nigeria and from 2022 suggesting he expressed a desire to represent the Super Eagles.
“Both of those pieces of news were pretty false,” Adarabioyo stated. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria, and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I will be going to Nigeria.”
The center-back explained that his focus has been on club football, particularly during his final season at Fulham last year and his current transition to Chelsea. “I told the club I had to focus on club football,” he said. “Now is the time that I need to make a decision [about international football].”
Adarabioyo’s comments suggest he is open to considering a future with Nigeria’s national team as he settles into his role at Chelsea.