West Ham United’s transfer deadline day signing Axel Disasi has been called a few uncomplimentary names over the past few days — the most pleasant of which is probably ‘disaster’.
Let’s be fair. The Chelsea FC defender, who hadn’t played a competitive game since April 2025, was nobody’s first choice as the defensive reinforcement the Hammers so desperately needed.
So I went into today’s game against Burnley with zero expectations. After unflattering reports about his fitness, I wasn’t even expecting him to start.
Yet after watching him complete the full 90 minutes, I have to admit I’m pleasantly surprised by what I saw.
Before anyone says, “don’t get carried away” — I’m not.
Early Signs Are Encouraging for West Ham
I’m fully aware it was only Burnley, and therefore the perfect bedding-in game against a side who didn’t trouble West Ham too much.
But from what I saw, Disasi looked strong, commanding and far more stable than Max Kilman, who always makes me (and plenty of others) nervous.
Of course, we’ll need to see more as we discover exactly how the Frenchman likes to play and how he copes when properly tested.
That said, while his £30m move to Chelsea clearly didn’t work out, Disasi could yet prove to be a shrewd bit of business for West Ham — especially if he brings some much-needed authority to a back line that’s looked fragile for far too long.
Early days, yes.
But for a signing some had already written off, this was a quietly encouraging start.
I’d be interested to know your opinions below.
This guy seems to have claimed more attention and comments than most new arrivals.
Probably due to his adverse attitude, lack of football and his unknown fitness.
He put all those to bed with a good display even if it was only Burnley (they still had to be beaten).
Man Utd next with be tougher winning their last 4 games.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail come on you irons.
Suspect the amount of attention he received was owing to the the desperate need we had for a Kilman upgrade – which only arrived in the last seconds of the window…
With Disasi my main concern wasn’t his fitness or lack of game time. I was worried because he didn’t look thrilled to join. His deal leaves a lot to be desired, in terms of committing to the project. Even his signing publicity photos showed a man with a somewhat diffident air to the badge we love.
“Here we go,” I thought, “another journeyman forced to phone it in each week. We’re for the drop.”
This morning though, I feel totally differently. Because I not only saw a good display and decent fitness from the lad but also that, on numerous points in the game, the way he spoke to the other players (and them to him) there was no sign of the negativity I feared – he’s definitely one of the crew.
Yes, we beat lesser opposition – but Alex enjoyed his game. And that speaks volumes.
Like one of the lads said above, we might have a new Kurt Zouma on our hands!
I think you’re right. One piece of defending resulted in high five all round from Disasi.
Fundamentally don’t get this take on Disasi. There’s a reason Chelsea paid 40m for him a few years ago and he has a handful of France caps – he’s a world class CB.
How much game time had Lingard had a few years ago when he came in? We are talking about a younger, much better quality plater here!
He’s going to be brilliant. We are lucky to have an established competent CB for the first time in a few years.
Nice shout Matt, I actually had a good look at his time in Monaco and it was clear he’s a bit of a beast
I am another who was quite impressed with Disasi. He seemed to fit into our defence very well and he deserves much credit for starting a Prem game for the first time in ages. Burnley was a suitable opponent for him to shake off the cobwebs. Welcome to West Ham United, Axel Disasi, you’re looking good!
Yes mate, perfect opponents. I bet he’s aching today though.
Yep, pleasantly surprised is a good assessment I think. A very solid start and you’d hope with more time and training sessions he’ll build up a good understanding with his teammates. Yes it was ‘only Burnley’ and you’re right to keep that perspective, but it was ‘only Wolves’ who stuck 3 past us recently, so an improvement for sure and good start for him overall.
Yes, that Wolves result is still grating with me
I said in a reply to one of your earlier posts that you don’t get called up to the French national team unless you’re pretty good.
I doesn’t surprise me at all that several of Chelsea’s 142 signings in the last 12 months (a slight exaggeration) have struggled to settle.
I was underwhelmed by what I perceive as a lack of concerted effort and ambition by the board to keep us in this league, but results speak louder than any of my opinions.
Hopefully Disasi can find his happy place at West Ham, hopefully he plays like a Titan for the rest of the season, hopefully we stay up and we can look forward to a settled period with a good manager and start to progress.
Though I’d add, in spite of the board, not because of it.
I think most agree Neil. We always need a manger to excel in spite of the board while this mob are in charge
Gonzo Hes what a true c back should be Hes positional play is good at the centre of defence Hes strong on the ground and commanding in the air and not afraid to put his body on the line In turn this gives the goalkeeper and defence lots of cover and security By not conceding this gives the whole team a lift with confidence and more chance to go out and win games
Crikey Mick, you were up early mate, hope all is well.
Yes indeed, he did look like a proper defender. Hopefully recovers quickly enough for Man u . . . he’ll be in the ice bath I wager.
Disasi had a solid performance, seemed to coordinate well with Mavropanos, and showed no hesitations. His physicality was felt by the opposition as he closed on their attackers, leaving them little maneuvering space. A promising debut, and hopefully he remains injury free and contributes to an improved West Ham defense.
Well said mate, his physicality was impressive and they did look like a decent partnership.
Axel Disasi did play well today. If he carries on like that we should try and make the transfer permanent, especially if we stay up, as we need more defenders.
Yes Allan, if we stay up I’d say the same. I liked his attitude.
Completely agree Gonzo, I was really pleasantly surprised that he managed the full 90 minutes and we kept a clean sheet.
Could bode well for an all French centre back pairing once Todibo is back ⚒️
I’m sure he’s grateful to be playing too Mike.
Hands up I was one of those saying disaster. This wasn’t based on personal knowledge just a couple of Chelsea mates called him that and said he was absolute 2 bob.
Very happy to be proved wrong again
Yes indeed. We had a Chelsea fan on Hammers Char saying he was useless. I think that’s a hard club to thrive at though
Pleasantly surprised by Disasi . Ever since Paqueta left the squad it’s as if a curse has been lifted from Westham . From Paqueta’s failed transfer and every day since just terrible and now he’s left and all Westham’s players seem better and Westham can win again . Big , big matches coming up , but now there’s belief .
I tell you what Phil, that’s a great shout about Paqueta. I might use that in a quite later.
I agree with you gonzo , I thought he played well and looked solid . He will defo play Tuesday I’d have thought and will face a stern test against man u . Maybe 2 quick games will mean he can’t last the whole game but certainly much better than I was expecting. You never know .
Morning mate, the only doubt I have is whether he’ll be fit for Tuesday . . . but I like him.
Liked what I saw today and the clean sheet will be great for the back lines confidence headed in to Tuesdays game.
Tuesdays game will be a real test. Hope they can manage and get another good result. COYI!!
Hi Gonzo, totally agree with everything you say. Sterner tests lie ahead , as early as Tuesday , but for starters only our second clean sheet of the season. At least we are back within touching distance of those above us COYI⚒
Morning Steve, yes indeed mate. I’m far more comfortable about Todibo’s ban now.
I’ll settle for looking strong, commanding and stable any day. If Axel Disasi can manage to evoke these kind of comments from Gonzo every game he plays, then we have a team that can go places.
I feel a little smile creeping across my face thinking about how we might be able to play with a new Zouma and Ogbonna holding our back line together.
This, coupled with Taty and Pedro (with help from Adama) doing all the disruptive and pressing work up front and allowing Jarrod, Mateus and Crycensio to play some awesome football, will ensure great times to support West Ham United.
As you intimate, just the one performance against our peers at Burnley might not herald justification for my new found enthusiasm. However, Disasi may turn out to be the catalyst for a revelation in our play. Maybe we can look even better against the ‘top’ sides.
Let’s just hope we can look forward to more articles about how good we are instead of reading about how terrible and clueless everyone is at the club.
COYI
Hello Taffy,
I had a sneaky look at his statistics mate and he won everything. More tellingly, he was communicating with his teammates. I’m very encouraged.