If yesterday’s match against Atalanta taught us anything, it’s that Tosin Adarabioyo is currently the footballing equivalent of a malfunctioning smoke alarm loud, unreliable, and guaranteed to stress everybody in the house. And after watching that performance, I have to say this again with my full chest: Tosin should not be anywhere near the Super Eagles starting XI.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not even if Ekong has retired, Omeruo loses form, and Troost-Ekong’s statue starts playing better football than him.
This Atalanta match was a repeat of everything I mentioned yesterday another abysmal shift. Another 14 minutes of chaos. Another reminder that wearing a Chelsea jersey right now is not the same as being international-level quality.
And if you think I’m exaggerating, Chelsea fans on X are doing the analysis for us for free.
A few highlights:
- “That Guy called Tosin Adarabioyo should f*cking quit football.”
- “Tosin adarabioyo too useless walai.”
- “Tosin adarabioyo is just like a curse laid upon Chelsea… he came on, we lose… he plays, we lose.”
And those are just three out of hundreds. A whole fanbase is staging a virtual intervention, begging Maresca to keep him away from the pitch.
When the club that watches you weekly is screaming like this, why on earth should the Super Eagles volunteer to experience the same emotional damage?
Look at the facts:
- He repeatedly switches off in dangerous moments.
Atalanta exploited it again yesterday. Nigeria cannot afford that at international tournaments, where one lapse is curtains. - He plays like he is still trying to settle in.
The Premier League is ruthless. AFCON is even worse. It’s not an environment for defenders who need extra time to “grow into” games. - He doesn’t command the defence.
Our national team urgently needs leadership at the back, not a centre-back who blends into the chaos rather than controlling it. - He’s not physically dominant in duels.
For someone his size, attackers win far too many battles against him. Super Eagles can’t afford to field a defender who gets bullied. - Recent performances show a downward spiral, not improvement.
A bad game can happen to anybody. But bad games becoming a pattern? That’s a red flag, not a scouting recommendation.
So, why force him into the Super Eagles setup?
Because Ekong retired?
That’s not enough reason to outsource stress.
We have defenders who are more reliable, more composed, and more consistent. International football is not a rehabilitation centre for struggling Premier League players. It is not where you go to rediscover form.
If Tosin wants to be considered in the future, he needs to earn that right through performances, not through vibes, PR, or desperation for a replacement.
For now, the national team cannot gamble its defence on someone who is currently trending for the wrong reasons every time he steps on the pitch.
The Super Eagles need stability.
Tosin Adarabioyo needs stability.
But combining both right now?
That’s instability squared.
