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Chelsea supporters have turned on Tosin Adarabioyo following the club’s 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.
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Fans blamed the centre-back for his role in the Malaysian side’s opening goal and questioned whether he suits Xabi Alonso’s system.
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Liam Delap scored twice from the penalty spot as Chelsea surrendered the lead before an own goal rescued the Blues.
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The match ended without a penalty shootout after tensions boiled over between the two teams.
August 09, (THEWILL) — Chelsea fans have demanded that Tosin Adarabioyo leave the club after his performance in the Blues’ dramatic 3-3 pre-season draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. Supporters heavily criticised the centre-back on social media, with some questioning whether he has the pace and defensive qualities required to operate in Xabi Alonso’s system, particularly with the new Chelsea boss expected to deploy a high defensive line.
The criticism centred largely on Johor Darul Ta’zim’s opening goal, which came after Marcos Guilherme broke down the left before sending the ball across the box for Arif Aiman to finish. Chelsea supporters felt Adarabioyo should have done more to prevent the move, and the defender quickly became the main target of frustration during a chaotic afternoon for Alonso’s side.
FANS TURN ON TOSIN
The reaction from Chelsea supporters was particularly strong, with one fan posting: “Get Tosin out of my club,” while another argued that Adarabioyo’s lack of pace makes him unsuitable for a system in which the defensive line plays high up the pitch. Another supporter claimed that whenever Tosin starts, Chelsea’s defence immediately becomes a major weakness.
The criticism continued throughout the match, with supporters repeatedly highlighting the defender’s positioning and inability to recover quickly when Johor attacked on the counter. Some fans acknowledged that Adarabioyo was working hard and attempting to prove himself to Alonso, but questioned whether his qualities were sufficient to fit into the manager’s preferred tactical approach.
The reaction was notable because Adarabioyo was not simply criticised for one isolated mistake; supporters appeared concerned that his characteristics could become a recurring problem if Chelsea regularly defend with a high line. The former Fulham defender remained involved in the physical battle throughout the first half and also stepped in to protect Liam Delap after the Chelsea striker was involved in a heavy challenge.
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DELAP DOUBLE NOT ENOUGH
Chelsea found a way back into the game through Liam Delap, who converted a penalty in the 42nd minute after his sharp movement inside the box earned the spot-kick. The England striker then put Chelsea ahead again after the interval with another penalty, giving Alonso’s side a 2-1 advantage before Johor responded almost immediately.
The Malaysian side levelled through Óscar Arribas after a free-kick took a deflection, before Bergson restored Johor’s lead in the 86th minute. Chelsea were spared defeat moments later when Cristian Glauder turned the ball into his own net, leaving the two sides locked at 3-3 at the final whistle.
The result brought an entertaining but chaotic end to Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia, with the planned penalty shootout eventually abandoned after tensions between the players escalated. The incident added another unusual twist to a match that had already seen six goals and plenty of physical exchanges.
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ALONSO’S DEFENSIVE DECISIONS
For Alonso, the match provided another opportunity to assess his squad before the start of the competitive campaign, but Adarabioyo’s performance has now raised questions over his place in the manager’s plans. Chelsea have a number of defensive options available, and the Spaniard will have to decide which combination best suits his tactical demands.
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager is expected to place considerable emphasis on defensive positioning, possession and the ability to defend space behind the back line. Those demands could make pace and mobility particularly important for his centre-backs, giving Adarabioyo plenty to prove as the new season approaches.
Chelsea will now turn their attention to their return to Stamford Bridge, where Alonso will take charge of his first home match as manager when Real Sociedad visit next Saturday. Supporters will be eager to see the new boss put his tactical ideas into practice on home soil, while Adarabioyo will have another opportunity to respond to the criticism and show that he can still play an important role under the Spaniard.
For now, however, the reaction from Chelsea supporters has made one thing clear: Tosin Adarabioyo has plenty of convincing to do if he wants to silence those calling for him to leave Stamford Bridge.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
