Because the 80-million-euro defender has been injured, a 45-million-euro defender is coming: With the signing of Axel Disasi, Chelsea FC are once again helping themselves to AS Monaco.
Chelsea FC are once again digging deep into their pockets for a central defender this year. For a reported 45 million euros Axel Disasi comes from AS Monaco and receives a six-year contract in London until 2029. On Friday, the Blues announced the expected completion of the deal.
The 25-year-old comes because another expensive defender was seriously injured in July: Wesley Fofana, who came from Leicester City in 2022 for around 80 million euros, ruptured his cruciate ligament and is at best an option for new coach Mauricio Pochettino in the new season in the season finale. With Disasi, who is also 1.90 metres tall but three years older, the gap is now closed.
“Axel has demonstrated his quality over several seasons in France, which has deservedly led to recognition on the international stage,” Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in the club statement. “He is ready to take the next step in his career. “
It was only in the winter that Chelsea had let go of a French centre-back in Benoit Badiashile from Monaco – for 38 million euros. Now he is suddenly reunited with Disasi, the latter of whom only had his market value skyrocket in pre-season. When Presnel Kimpembe pulled out injured, Disasi was called up at short notice for France’s World Cup squad at the tournament in Qatar and became the first Frenchman since 1966 to make his debut in a national shirt at a World Cup in the third group match. Disasi then made a late appearance in the last 16 against Poland (3-1) and in the final against Argentina, when he was substituted by coach Didier Deschamps in injury time of extra time.
Ace at Monaco – and goal scorer at Leverkusen
At AS Monaco, who finished sixth in Ligue 1, Disasi was a regular and played all 38 league games. He was also a regular in the Europa League until the narrow elimination in the knockout round play-offs against Bayer Leverkusen (3:5 i.E.) and scored two goals, one of them in the first leg victory at the BayArena (3:2). In short: Monaco’s new head coach Adi Hütter would certainly have liked to keep Disasi.
