Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is reportedly on the verge of a January transfer away from Stamford Bridge, with French club Lyon leading the chase for his signature.
Disasi's Chelsea Revival Cut Short
Despite a recent attempt at reintegration by manager Enzo Maresca, Axel Disasi's future at Chelsea appears to lie elsewhere. The £38 million signing from Monaco in 2023, who was part of the so-called 'bomb squad' last season and loaned to Aston Villa, had shown a positive attitude. He even captained Chelsea's Under-21s against Reading this autumn.
However, the redemption arc has stalled. The crucial fact is that Disasi was omitted from Chelsea's 25-man Premier League squad, rendering him ineligible for top-flight action until at least the new year. This decision has paved the way for a potential winter departure.
Lyon Emerge as Leading Suitors
According to reports from L'Equipe, Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais are now in discussions over a move for the 26-year-old centre-back when the transfer window reopens in January. Both the Ligue 1 club's hierarchy and the player himself are said to be open to the switch.
Lyon's need for defensive reinforcements is acute. They currently sit sixth in Ligue 1, five points off the Champions League places, and will lose key defenders Clinton Mata (Angola) and Moussa Niakhate (Senegal) to the Africa Cup of Nations this month. The main question for Lyon is whether they prioritise a player with immediate match sharpness or see value in Disasi's potential.
Chelsea's Defensive Landscape
For Chelsea, a sale could help streamline a bloated squad, though their own defensive options have been tested. Wesley Fofana is being carefully managed after his long-term injury, with Maresca stating it's "too early" for him to play twice a week. Levi Colwill is also sidelined with a serious knee injury.
Furthermore, the suspension of midfielder Moises Caicedo reduces protection for the back line. Despite these issues, Disasi's continued absence from the Premier League squad suggests he is not in Maresca's immediate plans, making a January exit increasingly logical for all parties involved.
