Chelsea are hoping to play a role in the Premier League title race this season and have shown so far in 2025-26 that they can compete with anyone domestically.
A recent 2-1 victory over Liverpool was a statement win for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, who look a lot stronger this season than they did in 2024-25.
Chelsea signed Joao Pedro and a host of other attacking players over the summer; however, issues at the other end of the pitch have created a headache for the Blues.
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The West London side face something of a defensive crisis due to injury, but one expensive outcast is not being considered for a return to Premier League action by Maresca.
Enzo Maresca looks on before a friendly between Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Axel Disasi disaster
Chelsea signed Axel Disasi for £38.5 million in the summer of 2023, splashing the cash to land the five-times capped France international from Monaco.
The 27-year-old’s physicality and versatility were initially an asset for the Blues, with the defender making 31 appearances in his first season at the London club.
However, the centre-back has found himself frozen out since Maresca arrived at Stamford Bridge, with Disasi admitting he wants to leave Chelsea recently.
The France international has been training away from the main squad in recent months, with no hint of a recall to the first-team fold, despite the Blues’ defensive woes.
Chelsea to make big loss on Disasi
There is no doubt that when fit and on form, Disasi can be a real asset to a Premier League or European team.
Aston Villa v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
However, given that he has failed to perform at Chelsea and had an underwhelming loan stint at Aston Villa, the Frenchman’s future appears to lie away from England.
Chelsea did well to recoup sizeable transfer fees for players who were surplus to requirements over the summer, but it feels inevitable that the London club will need to take a significant loss on Disasi either in January or next year.