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

Chelsea’s Decision to Loan Out £38m Defender Sparks Debate

El Hadji Malick Diouf has highlighted Axel Disasi’s impact since joining West Ham, expressing surprise at his limited first-team opportunities at Chelsea. The France international has emerged as a key performer for the Hammers, with Diouf calling it ‘crazy’ that Disasi remained on the bench for so long at Stamford Bridge.

Disasi arrived at Chelsea with high hopes following a £38 million move from Monaco in 2023. However, his debut campaign was marked by inconsistency, leaving fans questioning whether the hefty investment was justified. The 27-year-old centre-back was loaned to Aston Villa midway through the 2024/25 season after failing to establish himself in the first team.

Upon returning to Chelsea, Disasi was sidelined for much of the season, making no appearances in the first half of the campaign before joining West Ham on loan last month. Despite this, the defender has quickly adapted to life at Upton Park, contributing strongly to Nuno Espirito Santo’s defensive lineup and securing only one loss in his first six matches.

Diouf, who has partnered Disasi in all five of his league starts for the Hammers, shared his thoughts on the transfer. ‘The guy is not a small player,’ he said, emphasizing Disasi’s value. ‘It was crazy he stayed for so long without playing, but when he came here, he showed he’s a machine!’

Disasi’s current contract with Chelsea is set to expire in three-and-a-half years, leaving uncertainty about his future. Whether West Ham will pursue a permanent deal for the defender may hinge on their ability to avoid relegation and stabilize their position in the Premier League.

West Ham’s recent turnaround has reignited optimism for survival, with four league wins in 2026 placing them level with Espirito Santo’s former club Nottingham Forest. A strong result against Manchester City in their next fixture could push them up to 15th in the table. After a crucial victory over Fulham, Espirito Santo reaffirmed his squad’s determination, stating: ‘We did a good game in a tough stadium against a very good team. It’s a special night for us.’

‘We know how hard it is to come here and achieve a result,’ Espirito Santo added, following the match at Craven Cottage. ‘That’s what pleases us the most. We don’t measure belief, we always have it. What we need now is improvement.’

‘Today was a big day for us,’ he concluded. ‘But the situation never changed. Nothing has changed. It required a lot more from all of us.’

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