5 reasons why Axel Disasi should excite Chelsea supporters
Amid allegations that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Axel Disasi from French club Monaco, we examine five reasons why supporters of Mauricio Pochettino’s side should be excited about the possibility of the Frenchman joining Manchester United this summer.
As a result of Wesley Fofana’s injury, Chelsea is in the market for a new central defender, and Disasi could prove to be a valuable addition as the Blues look to return to the Champions League after a disappointing season.
He’s a capable flyer.
Even though fewer teams play a direct style nowadays, it is still advantageous if your center-back can manage the physicality of playing against strikers who prefer to use the air to hurt opponents.
In this situation, the 25-year-old is more than capable of competing with more physically imposing strikers.
Last season, Disasi’s aerial success rate of 70.3% rated ninth among the 143 Ligue 1 players who engaged in 50 or more headed battles.
Obviously, there is room for improvement, but given that Chelsea ranked thirteenth for aerial duels won per game (13.1) and returned a 52.1% aerial success rate last season, Disasi would help improve both figures.
He would help Chelsea advance rapidly
Last season, Chelsea struggled to produce goals, scoring only 38 times in the Premier League.
In May of last season, they scored just once from counterattacks in the English Premier League, a 4-1 loss at Manchester United.
Consequently, Disasi has the vision and dissemination to aid in launching lightning-fast counterattacks.
Indeed, 141 accurate long balls rated 15th in Ligue 1 last season, reinforcing WhoScored’s ‘Likes to play long balls’ style of play. If Chelsea is able to close this transaction, the player and club may prove to be a perfect fit.
Assisting Chelsea in front of the net!
Last season, if there was one thing Chelsea lacked, it was a genuine goal threat from set pieces. In fact, they scored the fifth-fewest goals (8) from set-pieces in the Premier League last year. In comparison, Disasi tallied three goals from set-piece situations in France’s top division last season.
With the creative personnel available to Mauricio Pochettino, this return should be greater. As such, Chelsea would benefit from the addition of Disasi, who would aid the Argentine have a productive debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s alternatives at center-back would improve.
The Blues did not have the worst defensive record in the Premier League last season, but Wesley Fofana’s injury and Kalidou Koulibaly’s departure have left them limited on defensive options.
While Monaco did not have the greatest defensive record in Ligue 1 last season, this was largely due to the expansive, open attacking style of play that the French club employs. Losing Disasi will be devastating for Monaco, but a tremendous boon for Chelsea.
Flexibility at the rear
Disasi’s finest position is at center-back, but he is a versatile defender who can play a variety of backline positions. In fact, he can operate at both center-back and right-back, and Chelsea could utilize him as a defensive option for the latter position, depending on the opponent.
Chelsea are rumored to have reached an agreement in principle with Monaco for the signing of the defender, and even at the rumored asking price of €45 million, he could prove to be a worthwhile acquisition.
5 reasons why Axel Disasi should excite Chelsea supporters
