Axel Disasi has been frozen out at Chelsea.placeholder image
Axel Disasi has been frozen out at Chelsea. | Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo wants defensive reinforcements at West Ham but one linked Chelsea man may not be the best option.
West Ham are in the market for a centre-back in the January transfer window with no shortage of links with players who may become available in the New Year.
The Hammers have shipped 35 goals in the Premier League so far this season with only Wolves having a worse record in the division. While added firepower is vital, so is more stability at the back, should Nuno Espirito Santo hope to avoid the drop.
Chelsea to let ‘brilliant’ defender leave in January
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. The player 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 paid £39 million for the former AS Monaco man and he still has pedigree. Jamie Carragher labelled the star ‘brilliant’ for a performance against Manchester City last year.
The former Premier League defender 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."
West Ham should look elsewhere after Fabrizio Romano update
CaughtOffside claimed that West Ham and Newcastle United were both looking at a January move for Disasi. It’s a deal that could make sense for the Hammers given the player’s potential to be a commanding presence and Premier League experience.
However, it’s a transfer that would come with risk given the defender’s lack of minutes this season. West Ham cannot afford to shell out another sizeable transfer fee for a player unable to make an immediate impact. The atmosphere at the club is not one of patience right now.
Therefore, the latest update from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano should end Hammers interest in the player. Romano said: “Axel Disasi has been offered to Barcelona but the only way he can leave is a permanent transfer. Disasi cannot leave Chelsea on a loan deal. Disasi is still on a big salary at Chelsea, even though he is out of the squad. There is also AS Roma, Lyon and Paris FC interested.”
If a loan or a loan-to-buy deal is off the table for West Ham, then the club are better spending their time looking elsewhere. A player with the profile of Toulouse man Charlie Cresswell feels a better move.
The former Leeds United man is playing regularly this season and has impressed. He’d also arrive in the Premier League with a desire to hit the ground running, amid talk of a potential England call-up. Whether Disasi has the same form and passion is unknown.
In other news, West Ham's first January signing should be obvious with loan move for Arsenal wonderkid the ideal step.
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