- Axel Disasi opens up on life in Chelsea’s “bomb squad”
- The French international has started 12 matches at West Ham United since January
- The Hammers are expected to make a move for Disasi, if they stay up
Axel Disasi has spoken up about his difficult time at Chelsea, claiming that life in the club was a ‘survivor show’ that made him question himself until a January loan move to West Ham United saved his season.
The 28-year-old joined West Ham on loan from Chelsea in February, having struggled for minutes under Enzo Maresca. During Chelsea’s first half of the season, Disasi and other senior players, including Raheem Sterling and João Félix, were separated from the first team for training and matchdays.
Since joining the Hammers, the French international has played a revitalised role in Nuno Espírito Santo’s team over the final parts of the season. His tough front-foot style and leadership have quickly made him a popular figure at the London Stadium, with reports suggesting that the club is looking to sign him permanently this summer, though, contingent on the club’s survival bid.
Axel Disasi speaks on Chelsea’s “bomb squad”
In a forthright interview with Canal+, the Disasi characterised the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as “crazy,” comparing it to a survival-style reality show in which players were progressively pushed out of the first-team picture.
“It was like a survivor show, someone got kicked out every week,” the former Aston Villa loanee said.
“Imagine that locker room at the beginning was huge. Sterling and I were already there, and we stayed. Then there was Lesley Ugochukwu, Joao Felix, Renato Veiga, and [Ben] Chilwell. We trained together.
“The next day you could come in and say, “Where is he? Ah, he’s found his club. “Ah, he’s at his place, he’s found his club.
“Until Raheem and I were left like that. It was just the two of us; we were like that.”
In the 29-minute tell-all piece, Disasi admitted that the lack of structure and uncertainty harmed his mental health, confessing that he began to “drift” during his absence from the group.
“I remember the first day, I woke up like this: “Well, what do I do today?’ I have no training, no match to prepare for.
Disasi added: “You start sleeping late, eating a bit poorly, you wander around.”
Disasi also stated that simply feeling “part of something” again at the Irons had boosted his confidence following months on the sidelines at Chelsea.
What’s next for Axel Disasi at West Ham?
As stated, if West Ham were to preserve their Premier League status, the club would aim to make a move for the centre-back. The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, ahead of their crucial fixture against Newcastle on Sunday.
Axel Disasi’s 2025/26 Premier League stats per Fotmob
| Matches | Clean Sheets | Tackles per 90 | Interceptions per 90 | Clearances per 90 |
| 12 | 5 | 1.09 | 0.84 | 3.85 |
According to recent reports, Disasi is “happy” at West Ham and has no desire to return to Chelsea after his tough treatment at Stamford Bridge. The defender is said to feel appreciated again in East London, and people close to him say he sees a smoother route under Nuno than he would at Chelsea, who are currently without a permanent manager.
However, the Hammers may have competition for his signing. Leeds United have apparently retained a strong interest in Disasi and are closely monitoring his situation ahead of the summer. The Yorkshire club are confident they can reach a deal if the Irons’ uncertain league position impacts their summer intention.
