New Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has spoken about his career so far and memories of the Blues after completing his £38million move from AS Monaco
New Chelsea signing Axel Disasi celebrates scoring for AS Monaco (Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Axel Disasi has opened up about what Chelsea fans can expect to see after completing his move from AS Monaco.
The centre-back, 25, has signed a six-year deal with the Blues after being a virtual ever-present for Monaco last season. His performances have seen him earn international recognition winning four caps for France, and was part of the squad that reached the World Cup final in December.
Mauricio Pochettino identified Disasi as an ideal fit for Chelsea after losing Wesley Fofana to injury and the new £38million man is eager to help bring major honours back to west London. When asked for his most vivid memory of the club, the centre-back points to Chelsea winning the 2012 Champions League, suggesting that there may be a hint of David Luiz in his playing style.
“The one that comes straight to my mind when I think about Chelsea matches is the final against Bayern, when Drogba scored that amazing header at the end. I was about 14 and it left an impression on me,” he said.
“I enjoyed watching Hazard, Drogba, Lampard. I liked David Luiz a lot! He was crazy. He was so fun to watch on the pitch and he could shoot from so far out. I like to do that sometimes too! Also, Cesc Fabregas – I played with him for two years in Monaco and he was amazing. Those players stand out.”
Disasi made 129 appearances during his three years with Monaco, scoring 10 goals, and is aiming to follow in the footsteps of countrymen Marcel Desaily and Frank Leboeuf, as well as the more recent success of N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud. The versatile defender will hope to settle in quickly and has a few familiar faces in the dressing room to help him adjust.
“It is helpful for adapting to already know these people,” Disasi explains. “Christopher (Nkunku) has also only just arrived. Benoit (Badiashile) and Wesley (Fofana) have been here a while, Malo (Gusto) is new. We’re all together now.”
The defender takes his fitness work seriously and believes that is the reason he is yet to suffer an injury in his professional career. However, Disasi admits that he endured a tough time, off the pitch, while at former club Reims, which led the defender to teach himself the piano as an escape.
“I started playing the piano when I was at Reims, my club before Monaco, when I was going through a difficult period. It helped me a lot because it allowed me to think of other things,” he continued.
“I know it’s sometimes important to clear your head of football, to be able to decompress. To be my best on the pitch I know I need to separate my thoughts. But I am also someone who takes great pleasure in being on the pitch, and with the other players.
“I want to bring my positive energy to this group, to be happy, to have a laugh with my team-mates. I like to have fun, to joke. It’s important because it’s a young group who are very close and laugh together. I like that a lot.”
Soucre: football.london
