Chelsea ready to sell defender they signed in 2023 as they look to ax more players - Reports
Chelsea are reportedly looking to sell French defender Axel Disasi. The former AS Monaco man is set to be the latest in the long list of players the club has decided to sell.
Disasi joined the Blues for a reported £38.8 million fee ahead of the 2023-24 season following an injury to Wesley Fofana in pre-season. The centre-back scored on his debut for the club on the opening day of the season against Liverpool.
Fofana's return to fitness, coupled with the addition of Tosin Adarabioyo this summer, has made Disasi fall down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. The defender didn't feature under new manager Enzo Maresca during pre-season as he was nursing an injury.
Fichajes now reports Chelsea have decided to sell Disasi. The Blues were willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old in the summer window, with Newcastle United named among his suitors, but a deal did not happen.
Axel Disasi has played 47 times for the Premier League giants, but most of his appearances came under former boss Mauricio Pochettino last season. This season, the defender has made just one appearance in the league. He slotted in at right-back against Bournemouth in the absence of Reece James and Malo Gusto.
Chelsea raised over £100 million in transfer fees this summer, selling the likes of Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku. The planned sale of Disasi will further improve the Blues' financial standing, and create room in their squad for the expected arrival of teenage defender Aaron Anselmino.
Defender reintegrated into Chelsea squad after summer freezing out
Experienced defender Ben Chilwell has been reintegrated into the Chelsea squad after being frozen out at the start of the season. The England international was put up for sale in the summer transfer window, with Manchester United considering a move for him.
Chilwell featured in the Blues' pre-season tour of the USA but was declared unfit by new coach Enzo Maresca and sent to train aside. However, the photos of the club's official squad for the 2024-25 season include the full-back, indicating he may have a future at Stamford Bridge.
Ben Chilwell has begun training with the first team but finds himself as the third-choice left-back behind Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga.