‘It was crazy!’ – Chelsea questioned for leaving out £38m ‘machine’
Chelsea’s Decision to Loan Out £38m Defender Sparks Debate
El Hadji Malick Diouf has highlighted the positive effect Axel Disasi has had since joining West Ham, expressing surprise that the defender was not given consistent first-team opportunities at Chelsea. The France international, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 for a hefty £38 million fee, faced mounting pressure to justify his high-profile move from Monaco.
Disasi endured a challenging debut campaign, struggling to meet expectations and eventually being loaned to Aston Villa midway through the 2024/25 season. After returning to Chelsea, he remained sidelined, making no appearances in the first half of the season before securing a move to West Ham on loan last month. His performances since then have been notable, as he has contributed to Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive line with strong displays in his initial six matches.
“The guy is not a small player!” Diouf remarked in a recent interview, emphasizing Disasi’s potential. “It was crazy he stayed for so long without playing, but when he came here, he proved he’s a machine!”
Despite his recent form, Disasi’s contract with Chelsea still has three-and-a-half years left, leaving uncertainty about whether West Ham will pursue a permanent deal. The club’s recent improvement in results has provided a glimmer of hope for Premier League survival, following a dismal stretch of ten consecutive winless games between November and early January.
With four league wins in 2026, West Ham now sit equal on points with Nottingham Forest, and a victory over Manchester City could propel them to 15th place. After securing a win away to Fulham, Espirito Santo reiterated the team’s determination to stay in the top flight. “We did a good game in a tough stadium against a strong team, with a top manager and quality players,” he said. “Achieving results here is no small feat. That’s what pleased us most.”
“We don’t measure belief, we always have it. What we need is improvement,” Espirito Santo added. “Today was a big day for us, but the situation hasn’t changed. We’re still fighting to keep our Premier League status.”
As the FA Cup quarter-finals approach, Disasi’s performance against Brentford will be key. The defender’s ability to adapt to Espirito Santo’s system has already drawn praise, and his impact could determine West Ham’s fate in the coming weeks.
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