Disasi’s Journey: Challenges and Opportunities at Chelsea

Axel Disasi was acquired from Monaco in January 2023 for £38.5 million. Having made 61 appearances for Chelsea, he found himself unexpectedly demoted alongside other players deemed surplus to requirements. Last summer, he had the opportunity to go out on loan, with interest from West Ham, Bournemouth, and Sunderland, but opted to pursue a move abroad instead. Unfortunately, that transfer did not materialize, and Disasi now awaits a potential exit in January.

During the summer, several senior players were instructed to train separately from the main squad as their futures were being evaluated, a situation referred to as the “bomb squad.” Disasi was among those players, joining notable figures like Raheem Sterling and Renato Veiga. In August, he made headlines by providing fans with a glimpse into the conditions of the bomb squad’s training quarters through an Instagram post simply titled “Life,” showcasing a stark changing room devoid of luxuries, featuring wooden benches and an outdated air-conditioning unit.

Despite his exclusion from the first team, Disasi has remained positive, stepping into a mentoring role for the academy players. He recently captained the Under-21s to an impressive 4-1 victory over Reading, demonstrating commendable professionalism that has garnered internal praise.

However, Chelsea legend Pat Nevin cautioned that handling the outcasts requires careful consideration, as their situation could adversely affect the overall morale within the dressing room. He stated, “The PFA is not the main problem. The main issue is larger. When you treat two players this way, the rest of the team notices because they are friends. Management may overlook the long-term consequences in favor of short-term decisions, which poses a significant risk to team spirit.”

Nevin further emphasized the importance of being mindful of how players are treated, particularly those under long-term contracts. He expressed concerns regarding players like Nicholas Jackson, who may find themselves in similar situations, and cautioned that such treatment can lead to discontent among teammates.

Chelsea head coach Maresca did not hold back in his remarks about the bomb squad players. He stated, “They are Chelsea players as long as they have a contract. Currently, they are training separately. Since the season began, I have not seen any of them, including Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, or Raheem Sterling, as they train at different times and on a different pitch.”

When asked about the possibility of any of the outcasts returning to the first team, Maresca responded decisively: “With us? No.”

Although Disasi is still training with the first team, Chelsea reportedly plans to offload him in the January transfer window. Nevertheless, both he and Sterling have been registered in the Premier League squad, which may prove advantageous during the busy festive schedule, including two Champions League matches against Barcelona and Atalanta, as well as a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City. The Blues are set to return to Premier League action on November 22 against Burnley, but it remains uncertain whether Disasi will be included in the matchday squad.