Axel Disasi drops hint over preferred Chelsea role and reveals call to new team-mate
Posted by  badge Boss on Aug 04, 2023 - 04:58PM
Centre-back is unlikely to be the only position the new signing plays (Pictures: Getty / Chelsea)

New arrival has hinted that he has been signed to play more than just centre-back for , while he spoke to before joining.

The Frenchman arrived in London earlier this week to undergo a medical and was , joining in a £38million deal from Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Chelsea’s move for Disasi was accelerated after Wesley Fofana suffered an ACL injury that will likely rule him out for most of the upcoming season.

While it was assumed the 25-year-old would predominantly act as cover and competition at centre-back, he has now suggested he is just as capable at full-back while his arrival also gives Pochettino the option of switching to a back three.

Discussing his versatility, Disasi told Chelsea’s official website: ‘I’m a defender who likes to properly look for the ball and win it back.

‘The best way of anticipating the opposition player’s move is by being in the best position possible.

‘I like to have the ball at my feet and play passes. I like interceptions, and I like to be aggressive with the opposition, to use my physicality.

Disasi contributes going forward as well as defensively (Picture: Getty)

‘When I was younger, I started as an attacker. When I got bigger, I moved back. As a professional I have played left-back, right or left centre-back or in a three, and with the national team at the World Cup at right-back.

‘I like full-back too because it allows me to play more with the ball. I like to be offensively minded, and I can score goals.’

, Disasi ‘spoke at length on the phone’ with fellow new recruit – and France team-mate – Nkunku before deciding to join the club, while he is also good friends with Benoit Badiashile and Fofana.

‘It is helpful for adapting to already know these people,’ said Disasi of his chats with Chelsea’s French contingent prior to joining. ‘Christopher has also only just arrived. Benoit and Wesley have been here a while, Malo [Gusto] is new. We’re all together now.’

Speaking more generally about the move, he added: ‘I am so happy to be here, at this big club. I am really proud to be able to be a part of this great family, and I hope to achieve very big things here. To win titles. I will do everything I can to achieve those objectives. I am very ambitious.

‘I can’t wait to feel the energy of the fans. This is a very good stadium, one where you have a beautiful proximity to the fans. A typical English stadium, I think. The fervour of the fans in the Premier League, the atmosphere, the intensity of the games: it is something that excites me.’

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