For those of a Chelsea persuasion, it must be frustrating to see Axel Disasi shine in a West Ham shirt when Liam Rosenior’s side are struggling defensively and notably, at centre-back.
Bought by Chelsea in the summer of 2023 from Monaco for £39m, Disasi impressed in his first season, but dropped down the pecking order. Midway through his second season, he was offloaded to Aston Villa.
A difficult loan spell saw him return to Chelsea last summer, to find himself ostracised from the Chelsea squad by Enzo Maresca. Disasi was left out of the Premier League squad by former boss Enzo Maresca.
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Axel Disasi for Chelsea
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Part of the bomb squad, Disasi has eventually left Chelsea for West Ham on loan, costing a £1.7m loan fee. Since moving to the Hammers, Disasi has been on fire and he shares why he chose to join West Ham.
Axel Disasi says he could have joined West Ham last summer
Speaking to L’Equipe, Disasi says that West Ham approached Disasi last summer and the only reason he didn’t move to the London Stadium was because West Ham signed another defender, Jean-Clair Todibo.
“They had already approached me this summer, at the very end of the transfer window, but ultimately they signed another defender. It was a bit stressful because it happened at the last minute in January.
West Ham United v Manchester United - Premier League
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“But they came to me and explained that they were ready to offer me the playing time I needed, and as a central defender. I didn’t overthink it. It was important for me to have guaranteed playing time.
“I needed to play, not be part of a rotation like I was at Aston Villa. That experience made me realize that when you’re a defender, you have to secure that. It’s not like being a striker: you come on less in games.”
West Ham players stunned Axel Disasi did not play for Chelsea
Disasi’s addition to the West Ham side has coincided with Nuno Espirito Santo shoring up the Hammers defence and giving West Ham a real chance of avoiding relegation. They drew 1-1 with Man City.
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Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior poll results
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In his six Premier League appearances, Disasi has suffered just one defeat in a West Ham shirt. He has helped Nuno’s side win twice, drawing three games against City, Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Malick Diouf says Chelsea were “crazy” not to play Disasi more, a decision which lands at Maresca’s door. Liam Rosenior arrived at a time where it was too late. Jarrod Bowen says he has been a “big presence”.
A decision will need to be made this summer regarding Disasi’s future. If West Ham go down, then it leaves Disasi back at Chelsea and in no-man’s land. But if West Ham stay up, a permanent deal is likely.
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