Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has responded to a message shared by Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts.
Adarabioyo has helped the West Londoners reach the Club World Cup semi-finals and scored in their 3-0 win over Tunisian club Esperance in the group stage on 25 June.
Meanwhile, Roberts made 48 appearances for Sunderland last season as the Black Cats won promotion to the Premier League via a Championship playoff final victory.
The winger featured as a substitute in May’s Wembley triumph over Sheffield United and produced the assist for Eliezer Mayenda as Regis Le Bris’ men won 2-1.
Chelsea star Tosin responds to Sunderland ace Roberts on social media
Roberts has not featured in the Premier League since playing for Norwich on loan from Manchester City in 2019/20, and will be relishing his top-flight return.
Meanwhile, the winger took to Instagram on Sunday, 6 July, to share holiday photos with his young son captioned: “Summer.”
While Adarabioyo will hope to feature for Chelsea in the Club World Cup semi-final against Brazilian side Fluminense on Tuesday, 8 July, he commented: “Summer.”
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Roberts set to struggle in the Premier League
Football Insider verdict
Roberts has deservedly earned a strong reputation at Sunderland and helped the Black Cats win promotion from League One to the Championship in 2022 by scoring two goals and producing one assist in 17 third-tier appearances.
Patrick Roberts stats Championship 2024/25
Appearances 45
Goals 2
Assists 7
Roberts could struggle in the Premier League
The former Man City man went on to enjoy a successful 2022/23 Championship campaign, notching five goals and seven assists as the North East club reached the playoffs in their first season back in the second tier.
But since then, the winger has struggled in front of goal and failed to score during the 2023/24 season, in which the Mackems struggled and finished just 16th in the second tier.
Although Roberts deserves credit for producing eight assists last season, which helped Sunderland on their way to the Premier League, he only scored two goals.
The 28-year-old’s attacking exploits in the Championship do not suggest that he is ready to help the Black Cats in their quest to survive in the top flight.
However, Le Bris has enjoyed a strong transfer window so far, while Sunderland have been tipped to seal Jordan Henderson’s return in a Mackem News exclusive.
