Pundit and Chelsea fan Paul Merson has sent a warning to Nuno Espirito Santo about new West Ham signing Axel Disasi.
West Ham’s on-off move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has finally gone through after nearly collapsing at the 11th hour on deadline day.
The Hammers held talks with Chelsea about signing Disasi in the summer but it came to nothing with the player not keen on the move.
West Ham launched a new bid to try and bring Disasi to east London last week as attentions finally turned to doing something about the worst defence in the Premier League.
Initially it looked like it would be a straightforward deal for the Hammers, Blues and the player.
West Ham finally complete rollercoaster Disasi move
Especially when Liam Rosenior recalled Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg in order to facilitate Disasi’s departure.
But it looks like being Disasi disaster for the Hammers as the 7pm deadline edged ever closer.
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It has been widely reported that the 27-year-old France centre-back was undergoing a medical to complete a loan move to West Ham for the rest of the season.
It was reported the Hammers were paying Chelsea a £1.5m fee.
Then came unforeseen issues as the Disasi move from Chelsea to West Ham was on the brink of collapse half an hour before the deadline.
Axel Disasi applauds Chelsea fans
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Word from several sources was that the player’s demands were threatening to scupper the deal.
But West Ham were given new hope when it was reported West Ham had submitted a late deal sheet in order to complete the move post-deadline.
That meant the Hammers had until 9pm to get the deal done and ratified.
Even then, well-connected journalists such as The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, were claiming the late deal sheet was no guarantee the Disasi deal would go ahead given the issues.
Failure to sign a new centre-back going into the last 14 games would almost certainly have seen West Ham fans revolt against the board.
Merson warns Nuno about new West Ham signing Disasi
Especially as Jean-Clair Todibo is not available for two of them – with the third match of his suspension carrying over to the FA Cup.
There was disaster at the death when West Ham played Chelsea on Saturday as they threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 in stoppage time.
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A graphic showing Axel Disasi being set for a medical at West Ham ahead of a loan move from Chelsea.
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But it was a case of Disasi at the death for the Hammers on deadline day as West Ham announced the move had been completed with a late deal sheet.
As far as most West Ham fans are concerned, the hope and expectation for Disasi is that he simply cannot be any worse than Max Kilman.
Pundit Paul Merson
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So what should Hammers fans expect from their new centre-back signing?
One man who knows Disasi well is Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.
As a lifelong Chelsea fan, Merson has watched Disasi’s Blues career up close.
And magic man Merson has warned Nuno about West Ham signing Disasi from Chelsea.
Some Hammers fans have voiced concerns about the move, questioning whether Disasi can be the signing to help keep the club in the Premier League.
Merson: Disasi a good defender and pro but don’t make him play
But Merson believes it is a good move for West Ham and the player – as long as Nuno Espirito Santo uses Disasi in the right way.
Because he says the Frenchman is a very good out-and-out defender but is too limited on the ball to start playing out from the back.
West Ham fans will also be enthused by what Merson has heard about Disasi from people behind the scenes at Chelsea – that he is a fantastic professional.
“I think it’s a good move, I do think it’s a good move,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
“As long as they (West Ham) don’t play out from the back. He’s not going to play out from the back.
“He’s not one of them who’s going to, but if you ask him to defend, he will defend.
“Yeah, he’s a defender, an out-and-out defender. He’s quick, he’s strong. And I’ve heard from people at Chelsea when I’ve been there, his attitude’s been good. Do you know what I mean? So I’m glad he’s going to get a move.
“I don’t want him to be the player that comes in and everybody’s giving him the ball and he’s got to play out with it. I think then he’s going to be in a bit of trouble. But if you want someone to defend and, you know, put their body on the line, good signing.”
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