West Ham United entered January in desperate need of change. The Hammers were seven points from safety and staring at dropping into the Championship, right in the face. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team couldn’t stop the ball from going into their own net, and couldn’t find a way of scoring themselves.
The emphasis was on player’s up top from Nuno, and recruit they did. Despite this, the biggest signing of West Ham‘s window wasn’t in the forward positions, it was in defence. The Hammers lost Jean-Clair Todibo in a devastating loss to Chelsea and became in need of a central defender, the one they choice might be a huge reason they have a chance of staying up.
In fact, the player came from that team, Chelsea. Axel Disasi, unwanted by the Blues, joined the Hammers on-loan as February began and has been a sensation so far. The French international has started every league game since joining the team, and the Hammers are beginning to hope it can last longer than just this season.
Axel Disasi’s defensive impact
27-year-old Disasi has been in superb form since joining West Ham. In just six games for the Irons, the central defender has overseen four clean sheets in the club’s colours. In partnership with Paco Jemez, who was brought in by Nuno to organise the defence, Disasi is going from strength to strength.
Axel Disasi’s 2025/26 West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Clean Sheets | Duels Won % |
| 6 | 4 | 63.2% |
The impact is made all the more surprising, given Disasi had not played any Premier League football since April last year. The transition has been seem-less, with the 27-year-old proving his worth no matter his defensive partner.
Nuno and Jemez have overturn the defence in the last two month’s, with Mads Hermansen coming into the net and Disasi making set with the number four shirt. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Todibo have both partnered the Frenchman, with the only thing not changing being his form and importance to this team.
Is a permanent move possible?
When Chelsea were under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, Disasi was placed into exile as on of the sides ‘bomb squad’ alongside players like Raheem Sterling. The 27-year-old would escape on-loan last season, joining Aston Villa, but the defender struggled to get consistent minutes at Villa Park.
This season, the same has continued, despite Maresca being dismissed and replaced with Liam Rosenior. What is different, is Disasi’s form, who looks right in place with West Ham, showing just why he is a top Premier League player.
Simply put, the defender will be available this summer, but as his stock continues to rise, it could all be contingent on the Hammers staying in the top flight.
