Enzo Maresca does not have plans for Axel Disasi.placeholder image
Enzo Maresca does not have plans for Axel Disasi. | AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca has demoted the defender to the youth squads this year at Chelsea after a loan at Aston Villa last term.
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January with ‘several clubs’ said to be on alert for a transfer swoop in the New Year.
The 27-year-old has become somewhat of a forgotten figure at Chelsea having not played for the senior side this season. Disasi has been seen twice in the youth squads, featuring for the under-21s against Reading in November and for the under-23s against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Disasi has fallen down in the pecking order of the first team with Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorrel Hato all preferred. The former Monaco man spent the back end of last season on loan at Aston Villa and enjoyed some successful moments at Villa Park.
Chelsea defender ‘will leave’ Stamford Bridge in January
Nothing came of those rumours but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano now reports that the player ‘will leave’ in the New Year. Taking to social media platform X, Romano wrote: “Axel Disasi will leave Chelsea in January with several clubs already on alert about his availability. Despite links with imminent AC Milan move, he’s been offered as option but no talks or concrete negotiations are taking place at this stage.”
Axel Disasi once compared to Chelsea legend John Terry
It’s been a big fall from grace for Disasi, who has made 61 appearances for Chelsea. After a huge performance against Manchester City last year, Jamie Carragher heaped praise on Disasi. He said: "I can't remember a better defensive performance this season from a central defender. You're coming away to Manchester City and playing against the best striker in the world. He was brilliant, man of the match, definitely the best player on the pitch.
"That was the type of performance you'd see from defenders 15 or 20 years ago, it was a throwback with backs against the wall and throwing himself against everything. Talking about Chelsea, that was a John Terry type performance and I can't give any more praise than that."
Romano did not name the clubs looking at a deal for Disasi but Premier League rivals West Ham and Crystal Palace are both in the market for a centre-back. The Hammers have been porous this term and are expected to invest in January, while the Eagles are preparing to lose Marc Guehi at some point over the next six months.
In other news, Premier League supercomputer predicts bad news for Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United.
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