'The reason he's playing at Chelsea' - Fulham coach labels Tosin 'a quality player' ahead of London derby

Fulham manager Marco Silva will be up against Tosin Adarabioyo on Boxing Day when his side take on Chelsea in the Premier League.  

Silva obviously knows the Nigerian central defender who was on the books of Fulham for four years before leaving for pastures new in the summer transfer window.

Tosin opted for a Chelsea move over a lucrative contract that would have made him one of Fulham's highest-paid players.

Fulham reacted to the departures of Tosin and Tim Ream by signing Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca from Crystal Palace and Villarreal respectively. 

With Silva in the Fulham dugout, Tosin appeared in 98 matches across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing two assists, and established himself as one of the best defenders in England.

Although Silva may have been disappointed that Tosin did not extend his stay at Craven Cottage, the Portuguese football tactician is impressed with the strides the 27-year-old has made.

Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Silva shared his thoughts on the departures of Tosin and Ream.

He told reporters: "Of course, he was, and as you mentioned Tim Ream as well. Tim was a great servant for this football club, so important for me when I arrived and for us. 

"He was really down when I arrived. It was probably in his mind to leave the club and we took him for his best level and probably for sure he has his best moments in the Premier League with us and helped the club to be recognized as a Premier League club definitely.

"And Tosin, slightly different because he's younger, but he was so important in three (four) seasons with us. He really improved and it's going to be nice to see him.

'Of course during the game he's going to try to win, we are going to try to win as well.

"He was a good professional, good lad, always open to learn and quality player. And because he's a quality player, the reason he's playing right now at Chelsea and doing so well."

For the first time, Tosin started two Premier League matches in a row for Chelsea last weekend, and he’ll be targeting a third consecutive start against his former employers.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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