Nuno Espirito Santo has opened up on Axel Disasi’s immediate impact at West Ham United.
Indeed, Disasi made his West Ham United debut against Burnley and helped the team keep only their second clean sheet since August.
Though tougher tests will surely come, Disasi played well on his first Premier League appearance in almost 300 days.
Here’s my hot take….
Doing a great job at Old Trafford – but there’s no way he’d have been a better fit to get us out of this mess than Nuno…
A graphic asking fans to 'prove us wrong' on the argument that Michael Carrick would do a worse job than Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham.
Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
The signing of a central defender was of the utmost importance for the Hammers in January, given they have one of the worst defensive records across Europe’s major five leagues.
Nuno will certainly hope the Chelsea loanee can help stop the leakage and the Hammers head coach likes what he’s seen so far.
Nuno hails Axel Disasi’s instant impact at West Ham
The 52-year-old was asked about the defender during Monday’s pre-match press conference.
Nuno had mentioned the former Monaco defender when praising the defensive unit as a whole against the Clarets but this was a chance to speak about him individually.
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Obviously, the focus is on collective improvement, but Nuno was pleased to see his new signing make an instant impact after only a few training sessions.
Big Axel bullies Burnley! ✋
Rate the debutant's performance out of 10!
Lesley Ugochukwu of Burnley in action with Axel Disasi of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham United at Turf Moor on February 07, 2026 in Burnley, England.
Asked about the 27-year-old during his pre-match press conference on Monday, Nuno said: “I think he did really well, particularly for someone who had been with us for less than a week. He was very aware of the needs of the team, and I think he integrated really well in terms of how he played, and the bonds he has on the pitch.
“The players have to have knowledge, and realise the movements, because one movement dictates the other. I think he did really well, and I hope he continues.”
Axel Disasi’s expensive loan move could be a bargain for West Ham United
Eyebrows were raised at suggestions that West Ham have paid £1.7million to sign Disasi on loan from Chelsea. That seemed pricy, given he can only play – at most – 14 Premier League games.
However, if he continues to help keep the goals out, it could well be a bargain.
Axel Disasi applauds the West Ham fans after their Premier League match against Burnley.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
The fact is that West Ham are going down unless they improve defensively.
One game against a struggling Premier League side does not provide a huge sample size, but West Ham fans were impressed by Disasi’s debut.
The good thing is, he can only get fitter. West Ham will need him at his very best for the battles to come.
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