Axel Disasi’s performances encapsulate what Chelsea is about

Oluwatobiloba

Signed amidst a host of questions of whether he was needed or not, 25 year-old Axel Disasi is starting to clear the doubts many fans had.

Aerial presence, leadership, and being a weapon from set pieces (attacking and defending) were arguments many had in defence of the former Monaco man.

Axel has definitely rewarded those minutely-few who did believe he was worth the move with aplomb.

Often playing as a right centre back and occasionally deputising as a right back when he needs to, no one can fault Disasi’s hunger to succeed at the Bridge.

His versatility and availability is a huge luxury for a team like Chelsea where centre backs get injured for fun (Badiashile and Fofana).

Playing at the Etihad with his usual centre back pairing in Thiago Silva injured, Disasi had an added responsibility of being the leader of the backline and he took on the task with both hands while delivering the goods.

His reaction when he makes a tackle or a block is reminiscent of Antonïo Rüdiger and you wouldn’t be wrong to think they share similar passion from defensive actions.

Under the lights against City, Disasi made 3 blocks, 16 clearances, and recovered the ball 5 times while getting dribbled past just once.

All the aforementioned stats all show how immense the Frenchman was and one particular block against Haaland would probably be his highlight of the game.

Despite Haaland being woeful in front of goal, it is no easy feat keeping a striker as deadly as that quiet for most partsof the game.

Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping these two can form a partnership in the next few weeks, with the cup final just round the corner.

Thiago Silva’s starting days at Chelsea may be over.

Oluwatobiloba

An adept football analyst and writer. Chelsea through and through.