The likes of Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku have not turned out to be successful signings at Chelsea.
Axel Disasi has failed to win a place in Enzo Maresca‘s starting XI this season and now looks set for an exit. It is also a similar story for Christopher Nkunku.
Disasi has now said yes to Aston Villa ahead of a potential loan move to Villa Park. The decision makers at Chelsea will no doubt be disappointed that things have got to this point.
When they signed the centre-back, it would have felt like a victory, given some of the other clubs who were also interested in him.
Manchester City and PSG had interest in Axel Disasi
Chelsea were really keen on Disasi, with co-sporting director Laurence Stewart familiar with his talent after the pair’s time together at AS Monaco.
However, the Blues were not the only elite European side who had the 26-year-old on their radar.
According to a report from Le Parisien in 2023, both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were also interested in Disasi, with the former scouting him alongside Chelsea.
In the end, though, it was the Blues who landed his signature, which would have left them happy at the time. Fast forward to now, though, and Stewart and Paul Winstanley may have some regrets about that £39m deal after the player’s struggles.
Again, it has been a difficult season for Disasi, who has come in for criticism for some of his displays. Jason Cundy, for example, thought Disasi was “too passive” in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town last month.
Axel Disasi’s arrival excited Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley
Stewart and Winstanley thought Disasi was ready to make the step up from Monaco and were excited about his arrival.
In a joint statement, they told Chelsea’s official website: “He is ready to take the next step in his career and we are delighted that will be with Chelsea.”
The France international is clearly a Premier League-level defender, otherwise Villa would not be trying to sign him right now.
But for whatever reason, things have just not worked out for him at Chelsea after a season and a half there.
