-
News
- 15 minutes ago
Enzo Maresca drops hint on major Chelsea transfer
Cameron Smith
- 8 Dec 2025 09:51 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Enzo Maresca has seemingly hinted that Tosin Adarabioyo could be set to leave Chelsea next year.
The 28-year-old endured a torrid evening against Leeds United last Wednesday, with the ex-Fulham star at fault for two goals at Elland Road, while he was then excluded from Chelsea’s matchday squad to face Bournemouth on Saturday.
Current ETV
Tosin Adarabioyo
D (C)
Chelsea
Tosin Adarabioyo
D (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€21.3M - €26M
Wesley Fofana replaced Tosin in the Blues’ starting XI at the Vitality Stadium, with Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato selected on the substitutes bench ahead of Chelsea’s oldest first-team player.
It has been reported that Tosin’s exclusion was purely tactical, rather than due to an injury, and Maresca’s comments before the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth suggests that Tosin’s career at Stamford Bridge may come to an end in 2026.
Tosin to leave Chelsea?
“Listen, we always talk about experience when we drop points. When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning about experienced players,” Maresca told reporters during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Bournemouth.
“So, again, I understand that when we don't win, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn't win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it's because we were not good enough.
“But we have experienced players. Unfortunately, they weren't inside the pitch. One because he was suspended, the other one because of injury. So, it's because in that moment, the ones that have more experience, they were out.
“Who is the oldest one for us in the pitch? Who was? Tosin. Did he play good? So, it's not about experience. It's about that 11 players, they were not good enough. I know that we are always looking for experience, but it was a bad game for all of us.”
Maresca added: “One of the regrets I have after the game is I didn't play with Josh [Acheampong]. So the reason why we played with Trev [Chalobah], Tosin and Benoit [Badiashile] is because analysing them, we saw that most of the time they were playing long ball for [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin, for [Lukas] Nmecha.
“And so we prefer physicality to win aerial duels. But even with that, we lost most of them.”
Maresca’s comments in isolation suggested that Tosin’s future may follow a similar path to Axel Disasi, who was banished from the Chelsea first-team following a poor performance versus Ipswich Town last season, and his omission against Bournemouth is undeniable proof that he is no longer favoured by the Blues boss.
An exit in 2026 therefore appears to be on the cards, and considering Disasi was shipped off to Aston Villa on loan just weeks after his dismal display against Ipswich, it’s not out of the question that Tosin could follow suit when the winter window opens in the New Year.
Football transfer news headlines today
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Arsenal chase 'next Mbappe' as mega offer prepared
Chelsea ROCKED by €120m Estevao offer
Arsenal make 'strong move' to sign €100m winger as contract offer confirmed
Man Utd receive Adam Wharton transfer confirmation
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
