Axel Disasi has opened up on his experience as part of the infamous ‘bomb squad’ at Chelsea after starring for West Ham. The France international endured half a season of no football at Stamford Bridge before a loan move to West Ham in the winter gave him a new lease of life.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Disasi spoke about the first half of the 2025-26 season in which he was frozen out at the club. He admitted that he kept his head down despite the difficult circumstances but stated that he cannot fully express himself because of fears of getting in trouble.
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“If I say everything, maybe I will get into trouble, but it was tough [the first half of the season at #Chelsea]. It was very tough to be watching every single week, every single weekend the games on the TV.
I was just working, waiting for my time – that’s why now I’m just enjoying because I know what it feels like to be in front of the TV and not on the pitch. I learned to be more patient, to stay professional, even if the circumstances were hard”, he said (via @AbsoluteChelsea on X).
Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca appeared to have been unconvinced by Disasi in the first half of the 2024-25 season, with the defender playing 17 times. He was allowed to leave for Aston Villa on loan in January 2025 before returning to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Maresca froze out the trio of Disasi, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell, refusing to take them to the FIFA Club World Cup as the club wanted them to leave. Disasi came close to finding a new club last summer but a deal fell through, leaving him stuck in limbo at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi represented Chelsea’s U-21s on three occasions to maintain his fitness in the first half of the season before his February move to West Ham. The 27-year-old has played six times for the Hammers since, and has become a regular for the side.
Former Arsenal star showers encomiums on Chelsea loanee Disasi
Former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos has praised Axel Disasi for his impact at West Ham following his switch from Chelsea. The Frenchman has been a key contributor to the Hammers in recent weeks as they look to escape from a relegation battle this season.
Mavropanos spoke with the official West Ham website about his defensive partner, becoming the latest to praise him. He expressed his delight at having the former AS Monaco defender on his team and attested to the quality he has displayed at the club.
“It had been a difficult period for him, but since he arrived, I think he’s shown how good a player he is and what he can bring to the team. He has helped our work defensively and has shown how strong he is.
We are just happy to have him here and to work with him as well, and you can see from the last games that he’s played that he’s got a lot of big things”, he said (via Chelsea Chronicle).
Disasi was completely left out at Stamford Bridge in the first half of the season, only joining in first-team training just before he made his loan move to West Ham. He will hope to finish the season strongly and possibly earn a permanent move away from the Blues this summer.
Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen
