So, what will Axel Disasi bring to West Ham United after the France international finally completed his deadline day loan move from Premier League rivals Chelsea?
Well, let’s let the man himself explain.
While there is a sneaking suspicion that Disasi and West Ham is a marriage of convenience – Charlie Cresswell was the dream target and the former Monaco ace wanted to join AC Milan initially – this is a transfer which should benefit all parties eventually.
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A graphic showing Axel Disasi being set for a medical at West Ham ahead of a loan move from Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Images/ Harry Murphy – Danehouse
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The five-time France international will play Premier League football for the first time since his loan spell at Aston Villa a year ago. Chelsea get an unwanted player out the door. And West Ham United land themselves an experienced, versatile and physically commanding defender who has a track record of saving his best performances for the big occasions.
Disasi dominated Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe on two of his most memorable afternoons.
West Ham United sign ‘aggressive and dominant’ Axel Disasi from Chelsea
Speaking to the club’s official website at his unveiling, Disasi spoke about the qualities he will bring to the London Stadium. If the much-maligned Max Kilman is ‘too passive’ a defender for a club in West Ham’s situation, then Disasi is the antithesis.
While Kilman has been accused of shying away from physical duels or ducking under headers, Disasi possesses the Craig Dawson-esque quality of wanting to thump clear anything which dares stray into his path.
“I think it was the right move for me because, as everyone knows from my situation, I needed to get some minutes,” Disasi explains. “The club gave me the opportunity to show my quality on the pitch. I spoke with all the people here, and I feel that they really wanted me.
Axel Disasi applauds Chelsea fans
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
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“So, that’s why I’m here today, and I can’t wait to get going.
“I just want to bring my personality and my character on the pitch. I like to be dominant and aggressive, but at the same time, outside the pitch, I’m someone who can laugh with the guys and make jokes.
“I just want to bring myself and make sure that we achieve our goals.
“I would say that I’m aggressive and dominant,” the 27-year-old reiterated. “I love to attack as well with the ball when I have the space. I love to attack. I will just try to bring this to the team and show my character on the pitch and off the pitch.”
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says Disasi is a ‘very good signing’
‘Dominant and aggressive’; two words that have seldom been used to describe West Ham’s backline in recent months.
Jean-Clair Todibo will miss the next two Premier League matches through suspension. Disasi could come straight in away at Burnley on Saturday, then, potentially alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos. From the stylish but soft pairing of Kilman and Todibo to a pair of aerial giants in Disasi and Mavropanos; whatever happens from here on out, one suspects the Hammers will be a lot less vulnerable from set-pieces and corners.
Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink feels Disasi has made the right choice joining West Ham, having seemingly spent much of deadline day weighing up whether or not to make the short trip across London.
“I think he’s been a little bit unlucky. I think it will be a very good signing for West Ham and for himself as well,” Hasselbaink, who scored 87 goals for Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, told Sky Sports. “I think he will help West Ham.
“He is a good player, he can play centre-back but can also play right-back, so he covers two positions which will be a good option.
“The only thing is, fitness-wise, where is he? Does he need three, four, or five matches to get back into rhythm? With West Ham, you’ve got to be [available] straight away there because they don’t have that luxury of losing too many matches.
“But overall, with what he has – his ability – I think he is a good transfer for West Ham.
“He’s fit, he’s been training, and he’s been training hard with the ‘bomb squad.’ He’s always stayed positive, so hopefully, he can slot in straight away and hit the level that West Ham needs immediately.”
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