Another Unwanted Defender Is Making Things More Difficult for Chelsea

Chelsea’s defensive clear-out is hitting yet another frustrating roadblock, as L’Équipe reports, via Football Transfers, that Axel Disasi wants to stay in the Premier League despite being deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

With Newcastle United expressing interest, there’s a narrow path to a solution—but Disasi’s Premier League preference could severely complicate the club’s efforts to move him on this summer.

Disasi isn’t a bad player. In fact, during his time at AS Monaco, he was considered one of Ligue 1’s more consistent center-backs—strong in the air, intelligent with his positioning, and a vocal leader in the back line.

That was the version Chelsea hoped they were getting when they spent £38.5 million to bring him to London in August 2023.

But the Premier League exposed his flaws brutally.

A Bad Fit from the Beginning

Disasi’s time at Chelsea has been defined by plodding performances, defensive lapses, and awkwardness in one-on-one situations. He lacks the agility and acceleration to cope with Premier League attackers in space, and he’s routinely been burned on transitional plays and cutbacks—both of which are brutally common in the high-intensity English game.

Under both Mauricio Pochettino and in the early plans of Enzo Maresca, Disasi simply doesn’t fit. Chelsea want aggressive, proactive center backs who can defend high lines and play quickly out of the back. Disasi is more of a reactive defender, comfortable when play is in front of him but completely lost when forced to turn and chase.

That’s why Chelsea have been looking to sell him for some time—and why his refusal to consider a move abroad is making that job a lot harder.

Newcastle: The Only Escape Route?

The only viable Premier League suitor right now is Newcastle United, who are in the market for defensive reinforcements after a season decimated by injuries and uneven form at the back. On paper, this could actually work.

Newcastle play a more conservative, compact defensive system compared to Chelsea. They aren’t asking their center backs to sit 30 yards from goal and sprint backward every 90 seconds. In that setup, Disasi’s strengths—positional discipline, aerial ability, and calm passing under pressure—could be useful.

In fact, it wouldn’t be shocking if Disasi thrives at Newcastle. And for Chelsea, that’s a double-edged sword. Selling him to a direct Premier League rival, especially one that could easily finish top five again, always carries risk. But when the player won’t consider leaving the league, there’s almost no choice left.

Another Transfer Puzzle

Chelsea have already struggled with moving off unwanted assets like Malo Gusto, whose defensive struggles mirror Disasi’s. The Blues need to clean up the bloated defensive department, free up wages, and recalibrate their back line to match Enzo Maresca’s tactical vision.

But Disasi’s stance has thrown yet another wrench into the works. Unless Newcastle step up with a credible offer, Chelsea may be stuck with a defender they’ve already decided they don’t want—and one who hasn’t worked from day one.

It’s yet another reminder that buying smart is only half the job. Selling well, especially when players don’t want to cooperate, is just as important—and infinitely harder.