‘It was crazy!’ – Chelsea questioned for leaving out £38m ‘machine’
‘It was crazy!’ – Chelsea questioned for leaving out £38m ‘machine’
El Hadji Malick Diouf has spoken highly of Axel Disasi’s contributions since his switch to West Ham, expressing surprise that the defender wasn’t given more first-team opportunities at Chelsea.
Disasi joined Chelsea in 2023 after a £38 million transfer from Monaco, carrying significant expectations. However, his performances at Stamford Bridge fell short of that hefty investment during a challenging debut season. Midway through the 2024/25 campaign, he was loaned to Aston Villa, where he struggled to secure regular playing time.
After returning to Chelsea, Disasi found himself sidelined for much of the season, making no appearances in the first half of the campaign before joining West Ham on loan last month. His time at the club has since been marked by strong performances, as he’s anchored Nuno Espirito Santo’s defense with impressive consistency, earning just one loss in his first six league matches.
Disasi’s current form has sparked renewed interest, with West Ham now aiming to avoid relegation. The club’s recent four league wins in 2026 have brought them level with Nottingham Forest in the standings, and a victory over Manchester City could lift them to 15th place.
“The guy is not a small player!” said Diouf, reflecting on Disasi’s recent impact. “It was crazy he stayed for so long without playing, but when he came here, he showed he’s a machine!”
Diouf, who has partnered Disasi in all five of West Ham’s league games, emphasized the defender’s value. Meanwhile, Espirito Santo expressed optimism following a win against Fulham, stating: “We did a good game in a tough stadium against a strong team. That’s what pleases us the most.”
“We don’t measure belief, we always have it,” he added. “What we need is improvement. Today was a big day for us, but the situation never changed.”
Disasi still has three-and-a-half years left on his Chelsea contract. Whether West Ham pursue a permanent transfer for him will hinge on their ability to stay in the Premier League. The club’s turnaround in form since the new year has reignited hopes of survival, but much remains to be decided in the coming weeks.
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