‘It was crazy!’ – Chelsea questioned for leaving out £38m ‘machine’

El Hadji Malick Diouf has highlighted the significant contributions of Axel Disasi since his move to West Ham, expressing surprise at the defender’s lack of regular first-team opportunities during his time at Chelsea.

Disasi joined Chelsea in 2023 for a £38m fee, arriving with high hopes after a notable transfer from Monaco. However, his debut season at Stamford Bridge was inconsistent, leading to a loan spell at Aston Villa mid-2024/25. Upon returning to Chelsea, Disasi found himself sidelined for much of the campaign, ultimately securing a second loan to West Ham last month.

‘The guy is not a small player! It was crazy he stayed for such a long time and he didn’t play, but when he came here, he showed that he’s a machine!’

At West Ham, Disasi has thrived in Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive setup, contributing strongly in his first six matches. His recent performances have raised questions about why Chelsea didn’t utilize him more frequently earlier in the season.

Disasi’s current contract with Chelsea still has three-and-a-half years remaining, but his success at West Ham has sparked speculation over a potential permanent transfer. The club’s future in the Premier League may hinge on their ability to avoid relegation, especially after a difficult stretch of ten winless games between November and early January.

Following a recent league win against Fulham, Espirito Santo emphasized the team’s determination to stay in the top flight. ‘It’s a special night because we did a good game in a tough, tough stadium against a very good team, with a good manager, fantastic players,’ he said. ‘We know how hard it is to come here and achieve a result. That’s what pleases us the most. We don’t measure belief, we always have belief, we always have hope, what we need is improvement. Today was a big, big day for us, but the situation never changed. Nothing has changed. It required a lot more from all of us.’

With four league victories in 2026, West Ham now sit level on points with Espirito Santo’s former club Nottingham Forest. A strong result against Manchester City in their upcoming FA Cup quarter-final clash could lift them to 15th in the table.

Having partnered Disasi in all five of his league appearances for West Ham, Diouf has been vocal about the defender’s value, underscoring the potential benefit of keeping him at the club long-term.

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