- West Ham United were relegated from the Premier League last Sunday
- Axel Disasi was on loan at the Hammers from Chelsea
- “Grateful” Disasi thanks the club on social media after loan ends
Axel Disasi’s temporary stint at West Ham United may have ended in disappointment, but the French defender leaves East London following a productive individual showing despite the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Disasi, 28, was one of the few players in Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad whose application and performance levels could not be faulted in a season, which saw the Hammers finish 18th and relegated to the Championship on the final day.
Disasi joined in January on loan from London rivals Chelsea, as West Ham urgently sought consistency at the back in their bid for survival. In only 14 Premier League games, the centre-back established himself as a strong leader in the dressing room, struck up a commendable partnership with Hammer of the Year Konstantinos Mavropanos, which helped the Hammers keep six clean sheets.
The former Monaco man’s dominant displays and passion during the relegation run-in drew immediate praise from fans, many of whom hoped the club would make his transfer permanent this summer. However, all signs point to being unlikely, particularly after his recent social media post.
Axel Disasi thanks West Ham via social media as defender heads back to Chelsea
Disasi took to social media on Wednesday to thank fans after the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship, penning an emotional goodbye as he prepares to return to Chelsea at the end of his six-month loan.
“Thankful to @westham for everything,” Disasi wrote on Instagram.
“From day one, you welcomed me as one of your own and gave me your trust, especially during a difficult period in my career. I always tried to give everything of myself every time I wore this shirt, despite the difficult outcome for all of us this season.
“I will always be grateful for the support, the people I met and the moments shared together.
“I wish the club, the fans and everyone around West Ham nothing but the very best for the future. I truly hope the club comes back stronger and competing where it deserves to be.
“COYI ⚒️🫧”
The defender was evidently crushed after West Ham’s relegation was confirmed over the weekend, and his social media post highlighted the bond he had with the club in a couple of months. Many supporters flooded his post, applauding him for his dedication and professionalism amid one of the worst campaigns in the club’s recent history.
For many fans, Disasi symbolised the type of fight and commitment that were frequently lacking elsewhere in the team throughout the season.
Disasi return unlikely as other targets emerge
According to sources in France, West Ham’s drop to the Championship virtually eliminated any prospect of securing a permanent deal for Disasi, despite Nuno supposedly having made his recruitment a priority before securing survival.
The defender is expected to return to Chelsea once his loan officially ends on July 1st, while his long-term future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain. The Frenchman is said to have sparked interest from numerous teams ahead of the summer transfer window, including Premier League survivors Leeds United.
For West Ham, recruitment attention will firmly be focused on acquiring a player to replace Disasi. The current first-team crop of Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman could all leave, and the recent links to Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Roma’s Jan Ziółkowski only solidify the belief that a new centre-back will be at the top of Nuno’s wishlist.
