Julius OkorieNigerian-born England junior international and Chelsea Centre back, Tosin Adarabioyo, has been named in the Conference League Team of the season.
The former Manchester City and Fulham ace made the list following his contributions to the 4-1 demolition of Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAdarabioyo who signed a four year contract with Chelsea last year, was not the only Blues that made the list as he was joined by the Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Filip Jorgensen.
After the game, Palmer revealed to the media that Tosin was keen on being named player of the competition, however, Betis’ Isco has claimed the award with his two goals and three assists in nine Conference League appearances.
READ ALSO:Adarabioyo, George Set For Chelsea Place In Conference League Final
Djurgarden’s Tobias Gulliksen was named young player of the season.
“The striker has hit double figures for goals in his first full crack at the Premier League and that is even more impressive considering the struggles his relegated Ipswich have had at this level.
“He has been the driving force to their attack, scoring from all angles and distances while also hauling the team up the pitch with his runs with and without the ball. It’s this range of skills which makes him stand out.
“A frontman with the ability to hold up the ball while also rank among the top 25 Premier League players for take-ons is a rare thing. His over performance of his expected goals total demonstrates his finishing ability. Delap is ready for the next step.
“Where that will be and how Delap would fit into a different system is intriguing. But it is no wonder there is big interest in the 22-year-old England youth international.
“His £30m release clause fee is way below the quoted price tag for some strikers on the continent linked with a move to the Premier League who would be something more of a risk. Investing in Delap appears to be a smart move.”
Cole Palmer has claimed Chelsea have now shown the “character” to prove their critics wrong after lifting the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea suffered defeat to Liverpool in the 2023/24 Carabao Cup final, leading to Gary Neville referring to them as the “billion-pound bottle jobs” referencing the money they had spent in the transfer window.
Speaking after his side lifted the Europa Conference League trophy on Wednesday, Palmer said: “I wouldn’t say I was hurt.
“I didn’t pay attention. We showed on Sunday we can go to a tough place and win.
“Even when we were losing tonight, we showed good character to come back.”
Tosin Adarabioyo who is yet to make debut for England senior national team remains eligible to play for Nigeria having been born to Nigerian parents.
He was previously reported to have turned down an approach by the Nigeria Football Federation to represent the Super Eagles but opened the door to a potential call-up in 2020 when he expressed his desires of playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with either England or Nigeria.
Unfortunately Nigeria failed to qualify for the said World Cup after losing in the play-offs against Black Stars of Ghana.
He will be hoping to see the light of Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle beam towards his side, as he continues in his bid to deliver the mandate handed to him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to qualify Nigeria for the next World Cup in 2026.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
