Chelsea: Tosin Adarabioyo reveals Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling role in first Enzo Maresca signing

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Evening Standard

·7 June 2024

Chelsea: Tosin Adarabioyo reveals Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling role in first Enzo Maresca signing

New Blues recruit is already very familiar with several of his new team-mates at Stamford Bridge

Tosin Adarabioyo has revealed that he sought advice from both Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling before deciding to join Chelsea.

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It was officially announced on Friday that the former Manchester City defender will move to Stamford Bridge on July 1 after the expiration of his Fulham contract, becoming the first new signing of the Enzo Maresca era.

Adarabioyo had initially looked to be on his way to Newcastle having decided to leave Craven Cottage after four years, with Manchester United also linked with his services before Chelsea swooped decisively to keep him in west London.

The 26-year-old is already very familiar with several members of the Blues’ first-team squad, having previously been with both Palmer and Sterling at City, as well as Willy Caballero - the former Chelsea goalkeeper who is now returning to Stamford Bridge as Maresca’s assistant.

Adarabioyo says he spoke to Palmer and Sterling before opting for Chelsea, with their glowing reviews obviously a key factor behind the move.

“I spent two or three years with Raz [Sterling] and Willy, and I spent most of my youth journey with Cole,” he told Chelsea’s official website.

“Before confirming the move, I gave Raz and Cole a call and they had nothing but positive things to say about the club and the project, and how excited they were that I was coming to the club.

“Cole is younger than me but I remember him from younger days alongside a few of the other boys that I’ve met along the way like Ben Chilwell - Chilly and I were both captains in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. I also know Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja because he spent time at Fulham.”

Adarabioyo takes on a significant role at Chelsea as a replacement for the legendary Thiago Silva and the first new arrival for Maresca, under whom he is extremely excited to play.

“I'm looking forward to starting work with Enzo and I'm sure the boys are too,” he said.

“It's going to be exciting. We’re going to play good football and win a lot of games. There are top players in this squad and I'm eager to play with them all.”