No one, not even Axel Disasi himself, would have ever imagined such a scenario. In December 2022, he played in the World Cup final with the Blues against Argentina (3-3, 4-2 tab), entering in the 120th minute. Almost three years later, the defender no longer has any place in the Chelsea project. Indeed, the 27-year-old Frenchman, then on the rise, embodied the new French generation during this World Cup. Barely eight months later, Chelsea paid nearly 45 million euros to attract Monaco and offer him a contract until 2029, proof of the confidence placed in him, at least initially. His solid debut gave hope for a future as a manager within a club undergoing reconstruction: 44 matches including 41 starts during his first 2023-2024 season. But very quickly, the dream was shattered. After a very complex 2024-2025 financial year for him, under the orders of Enzo Maresca, and a mixed loan at Aston Villa (10 appearances), Disasi found himself in a negative spiral, until being officially placed in the “loft”a group of players sidelined by the London club. A radical situation: no training with the pros, no match sheets, no assigned number, and a total absence from the group since August.
Questioned several times about this questionable management of the French international, coach Enzo Maresca never sought to hide the reality. Worse, he publicly accepted the club’s decision. “It’s not just Chelsea, it’s every club in the world. If you’re not part of the team, you’re not part of the team,” the Italian said at a press conference. Then, asked again about a possible return of Disasi to the professional group, Maresca was categorical: “Since the start of the season, I haven’t seen them. Do they have a chance of coming back? No. » A speech of rare harshness, which shocked even the PFA, the English players’ union. The organization has officially reminded Chelsea of its legal obligations: to provide its players with a proper training environment. Otherwise, Disasi could invoke a termination of contract for “just cause”an extremely rare procedure at the highest level.
From the World Cup final… to Chelsea’s U21 team
Before his departure for England, Axel Disasi had three notable years at AS Monaco, where he established himself as the natural leader in defense. Last July, when the residents of Louis-II came back to try to repatriate him to Ligue 1, the defender did not hide his emotion: “Monaco is home. I pushed until the last minute to go back. » But as during the previous winter transfer window, where Chelsea finally loaned him to Aston Villa in the final hours, the London club once again blocked his departure. A double disillusionment which left him stunned, without a clear perspective, relegated to the sidelines of the group and forced to keep in shape with the U21s. On November 8, he even wore the captain’s armband with the reserve against Reading (4-1). However, a timid renewal of hope has appeared: according to The StandardChelsea are starting to gradually reintegrate him into professional group sessions, in order to maintain his form and, why not, offer him playing time in national cups between now and January. Nothing like a comeback, but enough to see the end of the tunnel and imagine, finally, a return to competition this season.
From the summit of European football to the role of a pariah in record time, the trajectory of Axel Disasi raises questions. Just a year ago, he played in the Conference League with Chelsea, grabbed minutes in the Premier League and remained a credible option in the French team (5 caps). Today, he continues sessions with young people, scans his phone and hopes that a door will open during the next transfer window. And according to our information, a departure this winter is now in the pipeline: Chelsea wants to lighten its loft, and the player wants to relaunch his career before this shelving becomes irremediable. Because despite this downgrade, Disasi remains a defender with a sought-after profile: powerful, versatile, experienced in Ligue 1, the Premier League and on the international scene. At 27, it’s not too late to move forward. But while some of his former partners shine in the spotlight, like Malo Gusto, Disasi is still moving forward in the shadows, hoping that the glow seen in recent days will soon turn into a real exit from the tunnel.
