West Ham United got their sole deadline day deal over the line – eventually – last night after club insiders had kept up a worrying commentary throughout the day over the obvious reluctance of Axel Disase to put pen to paper as a West Ham recruit to the relegation battle.
Described by a club spokesman during the final hours as ‘not easy to deal with” whist West Ham were “faced with new demands all the time” it is likely that the player will have some sceptics to convince as his short term, straight loan with no option to purchase pans out at London Stadium.
Disasi’s words, no doubt carefully curated for the club web site, make all the right noises for a fan base desperate to stave off relegation:
“I’m very happy to be here, to have this opportunity. I’m just ready to fight and to play games”
But big questions remain unanswered: Disasi’s last Premier League game was in April 2025. He clearly wanted assurances as to game time at London Stadium – but is he fit?
West Ham have enough issues with their fragile pairing of Kilman and Mavropanos – the last pair standing – for this weekend’s Burnley six pointer. Sky Sports’ Michael Dawson was in no doubt as to the gamble taken by West Ham’s board:
“It’s a huge gamble, it will all be dependent on how he’s trained with the bomb squad, the Under-21s at Chelsea.”
With no game time this season, does Disasi actually add to Nuno’s resources or simply provide another short term sticking-plaster to apply to the gaping hole below the waterline in the good ship West Ham?
The £1.7 million straight loan fee believed to have been paid by West Ham for his services until May no doubt suits the board far better than the £20 million plus required to bring in a permanent recruit. But it leaves the head coach’s resources paper thin.
Perhaps Disasi will turn out to be the surprise signing of the season and throw himself into the Hammers relegation battle. Until proven otherwise, he deserves the benefit of the doubt but that is one mighty huge gamble taken by Sullivan and Co.
Kilman must not be on the pitch at any time . He is abysmal and has single handedly been the reason for the last two seasons appalling defensive problems . Maggassa played centre back for Monaco and can tackle and head a ball so he is way better than killer Kilman . Every time the manager brings him on we lose. OMG he is terrible .
What’s interesting to me about this kid is that he’s been given the number 21, officially registered as part of the sqaud. That would indicate that they intend him to play as part of the first team woukdnt it? They didnt give him the number fifty or something as you would expect for the under 20 or development squad lads etc.
Why play Kilman when Magassa was a Centre Half at Monaco playing in Europe in that position ?
Think apathy has set in with a lot of the fan base, now.
Usual pathetic window from this so called board – still, never been to Lincoln before.
So its going to take him a while to get match fit. Let’s all remember to give him a big cheer when he makes his debut in May!
As pointed out the lack of game time is a worry,hopefully he has kept himself fit. A bigger worry is his reluctance to come to West Ham,again it’s fingers crossed that he has the right attitude. We are between a rock and a hard place really.
The whole thing smacks of typical west ham last minute slapdash anything will do, but I think we will find out that it won’t. Unfortunately until that lot have gone we are doomed to relegation
It feels underwhelming, but, we’re West Ham. Put the shirt on and play like you mean it, we’ll give you every chance.
You don’t become a French international by being rubbish. So the fella must have something, perhaps Nuno can put his arm around him and improve him like he seems to have done with Tofino.
How in heavens name di autocorrect get Tofino from Todibo? 😂😂😂
Tofino, we all forgot about our secret Italian superstar!
You can’t give assurances to a player in a relegation battle, if he goes straight into first team questions need to be asked. Kilman isn’t imho as bad as people make out, he may be low on confidence but he still does enough right that if the team play on the front foot and ease the pressure on him he can do a job.
The board haven’t done enough in my opinion,unfortunately all the January deals will not be good enough to save us from relegation and with Nuno in charge that makes it more of a certainty I have not been so angry watching our games for years ,just so annoying that we don’t have the squad and the tactical changes favour the opposition ,can’t wait fofor the season to end