'I know Tosin since City' - Chelsea boss says he's very impressed with his first summer signing

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faced the cameras on Friday, on the eve of his side's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove, and one of the questions he was asked was about Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Manchester City academy product became Chelsea's first summer signing under new boss Maresca, signing a four-year deal after rejecting a contract that would have made him one of the highest-earning players at Fulham.

Although Tosin has yet to nail down a regular spot in the starting lineup, he has shown his qualities in the few games he was involved in the Premier League, helping the Blues post back-to-back clean sheets at Bournemouth and West Ham United.

On his full debut for Chelsea, against Servette FC in the Conference League, the former England youth international was outstanding in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca’s experience working with Tosin at Manchester City gives him an understanding of what the defender can bring to Chelsea.

Asked how impressed he has been with Tosin since the defender came to the club, Maresca told reporters: "I'm very impressed. I know Tosin since City, very impressed with him especially the way he behaves inside and outside the pitch. 

"He is one of the leaders in the changing room so we are very delighted and very happy with him."

Tosin’s international future has been a hot topic in Nigeria lately, as rumors wrongly stated he had opted to represent the Super Eagles over England's Three Lions.

The 27-year-old has not been contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles interim boss Augustine Eguavoen ahead of the internationals in October. 

Tosin's elder brother, Fisayo Adarabioyo, was called up for a training camp by ex-Nigeria U23s coach Samson Siasia in December 2014, but the forward did not turn up in Abuja.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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