Adarabioyo: Chelsea star’s current stand about playing for Nigeria over England revealed amidst Mikel Obi criticism
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has not yet made a decision about representing Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is actively engaging with Adarabioyo, who is eligible to play for Nigeria, in hopes of persuading him to switch his international allegiance from England.
Adarabioyo recently joined Chelsea as a free agent, leaving Fulham after his contract expired.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, he has played at various youth levels for England but has not yet debuted for the senior team, despite his last appearance being nine years ago with the U19 squad.
Reports from London World indicate that senior NFF officials have approached the 26-year-old defender, urging him to consider playing for Nigeria. However, Adarabioyo has stated that he has not yet made a decision.
This follows two prior rejections, including one from Jose Peseiro in 2023 before the Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up to Ivory Coast.
Other Nigeria-eligible stars
The NFF is hopeful for a positive outcome, inspired by the successful recruitment of players like Ademola Lookman, who switched to Nigeria in 2021 after initially declining offers.
Efforts to recruit Adarabioyo have included visits from former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen, who attended a match at Craven Cottage in December 2022.
Adarabioyo is among several Nigeria-eligible players at Chelsea, alongside Noni Madueke, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Tyrique George. The Nigerian national team is currently without a head coach, following Finidi George’s resignation in June.
Nigeria has successfully convinced several dual-nationality players to represent the country, including William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Maduka Okoye, and Lookman.
Mikel Obi’s position
However, Adarabioyo’s indecision comes amid criticism from former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi.
In a recent podcast, Mikel Obi criticized dual-national players for waiting too long for call-ups from European countries, only to play for African nations when past their peak.
He cited Shola Ameobi as an example, who delayed his decision to play for Nigeria while waiting for an England call-up, eventually playing only eight games for Nigeria before retiring.
Mikel Obi said during his Obi One podcast, “He had the opportunity to come play for Nigeria. You know Nigeria were chasing him for years and he refused. Obviously, he had this partnership with Alan Shearer at Newcastle.
“They were banging in the goals, the partnership was flourishing they were having an amazing season and of course, the Nigerian FA kept asking him to come play for us but said he was waiting for England.
“Shola gave Nigeria a call when he was 29, almost 30 to come to play for us and then he came and he played only one year.
“The Nigerian FA didn’t have an option because we were going to the World Cup. But he waited till he was past his best and decided to come play for Nigeria.
“Those are the things I am talking about, we are not second option. I didn’t know what the situation was with his family back then but this is just an example.”
At the moment, Super Eagles centre-back options include William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Calvin Bassey, Chidozie Awaziem, Olisa Ndah, and Benjamin Tanimu among others.
