After an unbeaten November in all competitions, Chelsea returns to their common dismay as they undergo a shock 3-1 defeat to then-18th-place Leeds and a troublesome draw in opposition to Bournemouth, who had been on a 5-game winless streak.
They conceded off a nook, a wonderful lengthy shot and a mistake from centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, resulting in a straightforward tap-in. All in all, Chelsea was uncovered and suffered the identical defensive points they’ve had all season, stopping followers from earnestly believing in a title cost.
Since Enzo Maresca took cost, Chelsea has struggled with set items, crosses and taking part in below strain, and this season, an alarming standout has featured in nearly each loss. Tosin. In all 13 video games he has began/performed nearly all of, his file is 1-1-1 within the Champions League, 1-0-0 within the League Cup, with 3 objectives conceded, and 3-1-2 in England.
When Chelsea has gained each Champions League video games with out him, 4-2-2 within the League, and 1-0-0 within the League Cup, with 1 objective conceded. It begs the query: Is Tosin the rationale for Chelsea’s defensive points, or the primary sufferer below Maresca?
Chelsea’s defensive points
Chelsea’s defensive fragility has been predictably and persistently evident. Within the seven league video games, Chelsea conceded 2+ objectives; Tosin performed in 5 of them. In Europe, it’s 3/5, and within the League Cup, Tosin began in a near-collapse of a 3-4 slender win in opposition to Wolves, the place Chelsea practically blew a 3-goal lead within the second half.
Chelsea’s defence this season has a specific weak spot that’s uncovered in each recreation they’ve not gained: their capacity to cope with strain and excessive balls into the field. 8/15 of Chelsea’s objectives conceded got here from balls launched into the field – A weak spot highlighted by Sunderland’s objectives in opposition to them earlier this season.
Compounding it is a tendency for important particular person errors, with Tosin, Trevoh Chalobah, and Benoit Badiashille standing out. The statistics are revealing: Chelsea’s win price with Tosin on the pitch is simply 44%, in comparison with 67% with out him.
Regardless of having the 4th finest aerial duel success price within the league – 4.85 per 90 – this alone doesn’t absolve Tosin from broader defensive woes. He ranks a distant 152nd in tackles made, 184th in tackles successful possession of the ball, and 312th within the variety of dribblers tackled (1), all decrease than his defensive companions. The problem is one among quantity and presence: he normally succeeds within the challenges he commits to, however he doesn’t have interaction sufficient.
Opponents have recognized and exploited his passivity. In practically each objective conceded, there’s a sample. Tosin is focused with excessive balls or remoted in one-on-one duels, which he struggles to defend constantly. Whereas Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Marc Cucurella might have decrease aerial success charges, they try way more defensive actions and are thus higher outfitted to deal with this direct strain.
Now it’s simple accountable Tosin, and followers are doing so (Instagram, 2025), demanding prospects Josh Acheampong or Aaron Anselmino to begin over him. With Maresca’s pleas for a brand new centerback being ignored regardless of similar issues final season, many followers see Tosin’s issues as a personnel concern fairly than a tactical one. However how a lot of it’s down to him? Tosin will be the most seen symptom, however he’s not the only real reason for Chelsea’s defensive illness.
However is it truthful to attribute the whole lot to at least one participant? The systemic setup, a excessive line vulnerable to lengthy balls, and a partnership with Chalobah that lacks complementary strengths recommend the issue is broader. Tosin will be the most seen symptom, however he isn’t the only real reason for Chelsea’s defensive illness.
Maresca’s ways: Are they accountable?
Beneath Maresca, Chelsea has been undisciplined, selecting up 27 yellow playing cards and 4 pink playing cards. They’re final on the truthful play desk. Chalobah and Gusto alone make up half of Chelsea’s pink playing cards. It’s a shaky basis, however one participant can’t construct/ break a defence.
Maresca’s system is philosophically clear: play out from the goalkeeper and invite strain in tight areas to take advantage of the openings left behind. In concept, Chelsea’s excellent defenders for this method could be Reece James, Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana—gamers robust in lengthy passing, aerial duels, interceptions, and shutting down large threats. In fact, James and Fofana are chronically unavailable, whereas the standard first-choice centerback, Levi Colwill, is injured till subsequent 12 months.
The gamers Maresca has, nevertheless, don’t carry out constantly. Malo Gusto is usually criticised for not taking part in gamers of their finest place.
He had a breakout season below Pochettino in an ordinary fullback position, however now struggles in his new place below Maresca. He’s now tasked with inverting into the midfield, dribbling, working into attacking areas and creating possibilities; he’s unable to make use of his key asset: his crossing. Gusto’s offensive and defensive contributions have declined since Pochettino was supervisor, and the model of Gusto that flourished with six assists earlier than Maresca has but to reappear.
Trevoh Chalobah, typically Tosin’s centre-back associate, has obtained comparable criticism. Collectively, their file is an underwhelming 3-1-3, and the partnership is doomed. Chalobah is the extra aggressive of the 2, stepping out to deal with, intercept, and even drive ahead with the ball. His progressive passes and carries greater than double Tosin’s (FBref.com, 2025b), and he poses extra of a objective risk.
But for all his proactive defending, Chalobah shares Tosin’s bodily frailties. He typically mistimes challenges, and though he makes fewer direct errors, his lack of self-discipline exceeds Tosin. Each battle in a excessive line, susceptible to lengthy balls excessive, and each are a part of a set-piece defence unit that too typically leaves opponents unmarked on the close to or far submit.
Questioning Maresca’s ways is legitimate – largely his behavior of utilizing gamers out of place – however context issues. He acknowledged his points final season, and but the board spent near £300 million with out signing a centre-back. Damage-prone defenders and constant accidents have pressured Maresca to play a less-than-ideal defensive pairing. Nevertheless, Tosin and Chalobah don’t work nicely collectively in a again 4. Every has carried out higher alongside others, however till the squad is deepened or the system tailored, Chelsea’s defensive disarray appears set to proceed.
Verdict
Whereas the info casts Tosin as a transparent weak level, his flaws are magnified by a fragile system and an ill-suited partnership. Maresca’s ways demand proactive, bodily dominant defenders, but his squad is riddled with gamers who’re both injured or misused. The board’s failure to strengthen the backline has left Chelsea with a doomed centre-back pairing, making Tosin essentially the most seen symptom of a deeper, institutional illness. The issue is just not solely his, however the resolution won’t be discovered with him on this position. Till the system is adjusted or the personnel are upgraded, the defensive failures will persist.
