Chelsea: Tosin Adarabioyo dismisses transfer fear after surprise Enzo Maresca first | OneFootball

Defender recently became the first player aged 28 or over to feature in a Blues team during Maresca’s tenure

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Tosin Adarabioyo insists he is not worried that being Chelsea’s oldest outfield player in a regime that promotes youth may cause him problems later down the line.

On Saturday, Enzo Maresca named the youngest starting XI of any club in the Premier League so far this season, with the team he put out for the 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest having an average age of just 23 years and 345 days.

“I wouldn’t call myself an old player at 28,” Tosin joked in a press conference held before Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Ajax, as he was asked about being more senior than his team-mates.

“I feel my age. I feel 28 years of age. It’s a great age, and I’ve still got a long way to go in the game. 28 is a great age to start kicking on and doing great things.”

Chelsea have been known to favour a transfer strategy of only targeting players aged 25 and under at times under the current ownership, and Tosin was asked whether, in that context, he fears he may be replaced by younger talent in the years to come.

“No, not at all,” he replied. “As long as you play at a high level and perform well, I don’t think it matters your age.

“For me it doesn’t matter what your age is, as long as you’re giving your all and playing at a high level.”