Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has clarified misconceptions surrounding his international career, asserting that he has never turned down an opportunity to play for Nigeria.
The 27-year-old, full name Abdul-Nasir Oluwatosin Oluwadoyinsolami Adarabioyo, has represented England at various youth levels but is yet to make a senior appearance for either England or Nigeria, the country of his heritage.
Reports had previously circulated in 2020 and 2022 suggesting that Adarabioyo declined invitations to join the Super Eagles. However, speaking after Chelsea’s UEFA Europa Conference League victory over Real Betis, the former Fulham centre-back dismissed those claims as inaccurate.
“So both of those pieces of news were pretty false,” he told Oma Akatugba. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I will be going to Nigeria.”
Adarabioyo explained that his focus in recent seasons had been on club commitments, particularly during his final year at Fulham.
“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told the club I had to focus on club football. I just wanted to have a solid run at Fulham,” he said.
Now at Chelsea and fresh off a strong debut season that ended with European silverware, Adarabioyo says he is ready to consider his next steps on the international stage.
“Now I’m at Chelsea, it’s my first year, which I wanted to concentrate on again. And I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision,” he added.
Although he was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Real Betis in Wroclaw, Adarabioyo is expected to play a role in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, and his decision on whether to represent Nigeria could follow shortly after.
