Chelsea fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) looms large on the horizon – but without any major departures from Stamford Bridge. Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his 28-man squad for the tournament in Morocco, and notably absent from the list are any Chelsea stars, marking the official end to any potential AFCON exodus for the Blues. This comes as a massive triple boost for Chelsea, especially ahead of their clash with west London rivals Fulham, whose squad will be hit hard by the call-ups.
Fulham, under manager Marco Silva, are set to feel the sting of the international break more acutely. The Cottagers will be without three key Nigerian internationals: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze, all of whom have been selected for the Super Eagles. These players have been integral to Fulham’s lineup this season, and their absence during the tournament could significantly weaken Silva’s side at a crucial time in the Premier League calendar.
Speaking on Thursday, Silva acknowledged the challenge but remained pragmatic about the situation. “We knew it was going to happen. We will not panic about its impact,” he said. “We are talking about three starting XI players. We know Alex is a key player in any position he plays. The importance of Calvin, and what Chukwueze has been doing in recent games. You have to find solutions. If you know any other way to handle it [AFCON], let me know.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Chelsea, who are scheduled to face Fulham on January 7 – a rematch of their earlier 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge back in August. That game wasn’t without drama, as Fulham’s Joshua King saw his potential equalizer disallowed due to an alleged foul by Rodrigo Muniz. Silva was incensed by the decision, erupting on the touchline and later branding it “an unbelievable decision” in his post-match comments.
Adding to Chelsea’s good fortune is the shocking non-call for former Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who had been the subject of intense speculation regarding a potential switch to represent Nigeria internationally. Despite his Nigerian heritage and previous youth caps for England at U16, U17, U18, and U19 levels – without ever featuring for the senior Three Lions – Adarabioyo will remain available for the Blues throughout the festive period and beyond.
While Adarabioyo faced criticism following Chelsea’s recent 3-1 defeat at Leeds, where defensive frailties were exposed, he continues to be a vital cog in Enzo Maresca’s squad. The Blues have dealt with injury issues at the back this season, making his availability even more crucial. However, the decision not to include him in Nigeria’s squad won’t come as a total surprise to those in the know. Earlier this month, a source from the Nigerian national team told OwnGoalNigeria: “No one has spoken to Tosin and no way will he be a part of a team which submitted the preliminary list without his name. He is a Nigerian and can always aspire to play for Nigeria but this time around he is not an option.”
With no players heading off to AFCON, Chelsea can focus on maintaining their momentum in the Premier League without the disruptions that rivals like Fulham will endure. This development not only bolsters their squad depth but also shakes up the dynamics of the upcoming derby, potentially giving the Blues a significant edge. As the tournament kicks off, all eyes will be on how these absences reshape the landscape of English football’s top flight.