‘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 expressed admiration for Axel Disasi’s performances since joining West Ham, describing it as ‘crazy’ that the defender wasn’t given consistent first-team chances at Chelsea. The France international, now thriving in Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive setup, has become a key figure for the Hammers after being sidelined during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi’s £38 million move from Monaco to Chelsea in 2023 came with high hopes, but his early tenure at the club was marked by inconsistency. After a challenging debut season, the 27-year-old centre-back was loaned to Aston Villa midway through the 2024/25 campaign. Upon returning to Chelsea, he remained on the bench for much of the season before making the switch to West Ham last month.
“The guy is not a small player!” Diouf said after a recent match, speaking to West Ham’s official website. “It was crazy he stayed for so long without playing, but when he came here, he showed he’s a machine!”
Disasi has quickly adapted to life at West Ham, contributing significantly to their defensive efforts. In his first six league games, the defender has only conceded one goal, signaling his potential as a reliable option. His form could be pivotal if the Hammers secure a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Brentford on Monday evening.
Despite a difficult spell under Espirito Santo, West Ham has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. A four-win league tally in 2026 has brought them level with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table, and a victory over Manchester City in their next fixture could push them to 15th place. Espirito Santo emphasized the team’s resilience after a recent 2-1 win at Fulham, stating:
‘It’s a special night because we did a good game in a tough stadium against a very good team. 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 hope, what we need is improvement. Today was a big day for us, but the situation never changed. Nothing has changed. It required more from all of us.’
Disasi’s contract with Chelsea still has three-and-a-half years remaining, and whether West Ham pursues a permanent deal will hinge on their ability to avoid relegation. The club’s recent resurgence has reignited optimism, but challenges remain as they battle for survival in the top flight.
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