Watch: Cole Palmer applauds as Nigeria-eligible star wins MOTM in Chelsea win

Super Eagles-eligible defender, Tosin Adarabioyo, delivered a commanding performance for Chelsea in their 3-0 win over Espérance Tunis at the FIFA Club World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.

This impressive performance earned Adarabioyo the Man of the Match award and applause from teammate Cole Palmer.

The Nigeria-eligible centre-back opened the scoring for the Blues just before half-time, heading home Enzo Fernández’s pinpoint cross from a set-piece in the 45th minute.

Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea FC celebrates with team mate Liam Delap after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the ES Tunis vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup match [Photo credit/IMAGO]

It was a reward for a dominant first-half display that saw Chelsea score twice in two minutes, with Liam Delap adding a second shortly after Adarabioyo’s goal. Tyrique George later sealed the result deep into stoppage time.

Adarabioyo, who also captained the side on the night, put up an all-round solid display in defence.

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According to Absolute Chelsea, the 27-year-old completed 126 touches, maintained a 97% pass accuracy, won all his aerial duels, made four clearances, and even registered a shot on target in a flawless 90-minute outing.

Cole Palmer and Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea after the UEFA Conference League semifinal between Djurgarden and Chelsea [Photo credit/IMAGO]

After the final whistle, Cole Palmer was seen clapping and showing his appreciation for Adarabioyo’s standout performance, which shows the defender’s growing influence within the Chelsea setup.

Your #ESTCHE man of the match: Tosin Adarabioyo

Catch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game. Free. | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #ESTCHE pic.twitter.com/c6xf3ZM0s8

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 25, 2025

With the win, Chelsea secured a place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Benfica—a reunion for Enzo Fernández against his former club.

Adarabioyo Breaks Silence on Nigeria National Team Speculation

In a post-match interview with Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba — following Chelsea’s emphatic 4-1 win over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final — the centre-back spoke candidly about his stance on playing for Nigeria.

“Yeah, so both of those pieces of news are pretty false,” Adarabioyo said. “I’ve never turned down Nigeria, and I’ve never had any conversations with them to say that I will be going to Nigeria.

“At the point of last season, when there was a little bit of conversation, I told the club I just wanted to focus on club football in my last year at Fulham. I just wanted to have a solid season at Fulham.

“Now I’m at Chelsea in my first year, which I wanted to concentrate on again, and I think now is going to be the time that I need to make a decision.”

This shows that the defender is open to representing the Super Eagles and that a final decision could be imminent.

Tosin Adarabioyo in action for Chelsea [Photo credit/IMAGO]

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament later in the year.

A call-up for Adarabioyo, if further ignored by the Three Lions, may see the defender donning the colours of his parents' country.