Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo produced a record-setting display as the Premier League side overcame a stubborn challenge from Wrexham A.F.C. in the FA Cup at the Racecourse Ground, Footynaija reports.
The tie proved far more difficult than many expected for the London club. Chelsea needed extra time to finally secure a 4-2 victory against the lower-league side after struggling for long spells of the match.
Manager Liam Rosenior initially set his team up with three defenders, but the system failed to give the visitors enough control. A switch to a back four, alongside the introduction of substitutes such as Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro, eventually helped Chelsea regain their rhythm.
Adarabioyo endured an uncertain start but gradually grew into the contest and ended the night with impressive numbers. According to FotMob, the former Fulham star recorded 169 touches during the game, the highest by any Chelsea player in a single match this season. That figure surpassed the previous mark of 138 set by Trevoh Chalobah earlier in the campaign.
🔵🚨| Tosin Adarabioyo breaks Chelsea records vs Wrexham!
— SINGLE (@Young_Fish01) March 7, 2026
Despite not having his best game, Tosin Adarabioyo still made history for Chelsea in the clash with Wrexham A.F.C.
• 🔢 169 touches — the most by a Chelsea player in a single game this season, surpassing Trevoh… pic.twitter.com/vXvy7MsdlG
The centre-back also set another club benchmark by making 15 ball recoveries, beating the previous high of 10 recorded by Moises Caicedo in a league match against Aston Villa.
Adarabioyo completed 142 of his 151 passes and added seven clearances, three blocks, two interceptions and a tackle, while winning four duels. Despite the strong statistics, there were still moments when he appeared uncomfortable under pressure, and his form is expected to remain under scrutiny with speculation about his long-term future at the club.
📸Chelsea’s new signing, Tosin Adarabioyo, spotted rocking the Super Eagles coat, The 26-year-old defender is still eligible to play for Nigeria, having not received a call-up from England yet.
— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) June 13, 2024
🚨Do you think he will switch allegiance and don the green and white?#supereagles pic.twitter.com/oe6vcyVbU2
Away from club football, Adarabioyo is also yet to decide his international allegiance. Born in England to Nigerian parents, he is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria national football team. The defender, who previously played for England at youth level, insists he has never rejected Nigeria.
“Both of those pieces of news are pretty false. I’ve never turned down Nigeria,” he said.
“At the point of last season where there was a little bit of conversation, I told them I just want to focus on club football.”
Nigeria’s football authorities continue to monitor the situation as they look to strengthen an ageing defensive line, with Adarabioyo viewed as a potential long-term option should he choose to represent the three-time African champions.
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