Chelsea make mockery of Newcastle United’s transfer plans with bizarre squad omission
Chelsea outmuscled Newcastle United to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer in June
Former Newcastle United target Tosin Adarabioyo has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for their Conference League clash against Servette.
The Blues famously pipped Eddie Howe’s men to European football last season. An end-of-season run saw Chelsea come from behind to finish sixth - but could not prevent Mauricio Pochettino from getting the sack.
Manchester United’s shock FA Cup triumph demoted Chelsea to Conference League qualification, with Newcastle cruelly ending the campaign empty-handed. Once the window opened, Toon chiefs pounced quickly to sign Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth on a free transfer.
Adarabioyo, an ex-Manchester City academy product who became an established Premier League star with Fulham, looked set to follow suit when his contract expired on June 30. Signing two experienced, top-flight defenders for nothing would have allowed the Magpies to focus funds elsewhere - namely at right-wing.
However, lavish spenders Chelsea hijacked the move and the 26-year-old headed across the capital to pen a lucrative four-year deal. He may already be regretting that move after being left out of the squad for the Conference League play-off tie with Swiss outfit Servette.
This comes just days after Adarabioyo was an unused substitute for Chelsea’s opening-day defeat to Man City. New Blues boss Enzo Maresca preferred Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill at the heart of the defence.
There has been no suggestion as to why Adarabioyo was omitted - with the defender not thought to be injured. Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile were the centre-back options named in the 25-man squad for the trip.
Chelsea’s transfer policy has come under criticism since Todd Boehly fronted a group to buy the club in 2022. Adaraboyo’s move is now facing questions - with Newcastle fans keen to point out his exclusion on social media.
“Ok Tosin Adarabioyo, you made a massive blunder choosing Chelsea over Newcastle,” one supporter wrote when sharing the news. Another joked: “Time to recall Tosin Adarabioyo from his Chelsea loan.”