When this dreadful football season is finished and the Hammers inevitably find themselves ejected from the top tier of English football, few first team players will emerge with enhanced reputations.
The three defeats in a row, just as Spurs‘ form started to improve with the arrival of De Zerbi, is likely to prove the undoing of West Ham’s push for survival with the Irons now 95% certain of suffering relegation, more than likely confirmed at the conclusion of Tottenham’s game tonight.
One West Ham first team regular who will leave with his head held high and his reputation firmly restored is Axel Disasi.
Even though Chelsea seemingly don’t want their defender back, he’ll leave after Sunday’s final game when his loan spell at London Stadium ends with a grateful and regretful West Ham fan base wishing he’d come on board in the summer window.
One of many farewells next weekend: Axel Disasi is wanted by West Ham’s former relegation rivals
The Irons would be looking at a very different outcome had they managed to secure Disasi instead of Brighton’s Igor Julio.
The irony is that Leeds United– one time relegation rivals of West Ham – according to footballinsider247.com – are now looking seriously at a bid for Disasi:
“You have to give him credit, he’s gone in [to West Ham] worked hard, and he’s done everything he can to help turn around their fortunes.
Unfortunately for them, I think it’s inevitable that he will move on if they are relegated, and there will be lots of clubs in the Premier League keen to take him on.
Leeds are among those, I believe, because they want to strengthen at the back and he has shown at West Ham that he can make that happen.Leeds have been keeping a close eye on him since he moved to West Ham and I’m sure they will have been impressed by what they’ve seen from him.”
As have Hammers fans. Partially responsible for coaxing a tune out of Dinos Mavropanos this year, Disasi deserves huge credit for hitting the ground running and showing the Hammers what a ‘proper’ centre back pairing looks like.
His contribution and solidity does, however, further illustrate the shortcomings of the man he replaced in the heart of the Hammers defence – Max Kilman – on whom West Ham will, sadly, more than likely have to depend again next season.