Axel Disasi remains on the books at Chelsea with his Stamford Bridge contract due to expire in 2029, but the Frenchman couldn’t resist a dig at Enzo Maresca in his latest interview.
Back in the summer of 2023, Chelsea paid a £39m fee to sign Disasi from Monaco. His first season in Chelsea colours went well, clocking up 44 appearances in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino.
But the departure of Pochettino saw all of his first-team prospects at Chelsea dissipate. Enzo Maresca ostracised the defender, like many others, with Disasi becoming a part of the Chelsea bomb squad.
Has Disasi played his last game for Chelsea? 👋
His last Chelsea appearance came in January 2025
It saw Disasi go on loan to Aston Villa where he struggled for rhythm in the second half of last term, before returning to Chelsea last summer and finding himself left out of Chelsea’s 25-man squad.
Axel Disasi is thriving, proving Enzo Maresca was wrong
For the first time since the 2023-24 season, 27-year-old defender Disasi is finally first choice at a club again. On loan at West Ham, he’s played the last six Premier League games for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
He’s helped West Ham lose only once in that run of six games as the Hammers look to avoid relegation. Speaking to L’Equipe this week, Disasi believes he’s proved his doubters wrong, a dig at Maresca.
Axel Disasi of West Ham during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
“Good, both physically and mentally. Getting back on the pitch helps me feel better. Some people had concerns about my return, but it feels good to show them they were wrong,” Disasi told French media.
“That it was all just speculation about my condition. When you work hard, it can only pay off. I’ve grown a lot in the last six months,” Disasi added, clearly aiming his comments at the man who doubted him most.
Disasi form coming at just the wrong time for Chelsea
Oh, how Liam Rosenior will wish he had an in-form Disasi to choose from. On Tuesday night, Chelsea were without Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr had a shocker and Trevoh Chalobah went off injured.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The England international said on Instagram that his ankle should be broken. It leaves Chelsea light in defence, with Benoit Badiashile seemingly shelved by Rosenior and Tosin booed as he came on.
There is no doubt that if Rosenior had this version of Disasi to choose from, the France international would be starting for Chelsea with Fofana struggling and Chalobah injured. Bad timing for the Blues.
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