AXEL DISASI may be about to write a comeback story for the ages.
A matter of weeks ago, it seemed unthinkable that he’d ever be welcomed back into the Chelsea fold.
With Enzo Maresca admitting to not even seeing him around the training ground, the French defender was even using a separate TOILET and changing room from the rest of his team-mates.
Disasi, 27, has suffered a fall from grace since joining the Blues, from competing in the World Cup final with France three years ago, to most recently captaining Chelsea’s development team after being frozen out at Cobham.
The French defender’s excellent attitude and mentality, however, have paid dividends with those in charge.
His shock inclusion in the Chelsea U21 team last weekend was a signal of how effectively he’s been helping young players, while also presenting an opportunity for him to gain minutes and fitness.
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And while it looked as though that would be beneficial as he searched for a January move away from Stamford Bridge, he could even stay at the club.
Yesterday, Disasi trained with the Chelsea first team for the first time since the summer, when he was demoted to the Blues ‘bomb squad’ alongside Raheem Sterling and other players that the club were keen to sell.
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It’s the next step in a remarkable comeback that could see him gradually reintroduced to first-team football, in a somewhat similar vein to how Trevoh Chalobah, 26, became a regular starter under Maresca.
Like Disasi, it looked as though Chalobah’s future lay elsewhere when he was left at home for the club’s pre-season tour in July 2024.
And with a successful loan at Crystal Palace it looked as though he wasn’t destined to be a Chelsea player going forward.
Chalobah, though, was recalled and reintroduced to Maresca’s team in January this year, with the Italian boss not looking back since.
Just three years ago, Disasi played in France‘s World Cup final defeat to Lionel Messi‘s Argentina.
He was signed by Chelsea for £38.5m in August 2023, but a string of poor performances saw him become surplus to requirements, and someone the Blues could scoop a good fee for last summer.
However, despite being approached by Premier League clubs, Disasi only wanted to move back to Monaco, as he told French outlet La Media Carre.
He said: “In the period between the approaches from Bournemouth and West Ham, Monaco arrived, and that hit me emotionally.
“I had three incredible years at Monaco. When they came in, all the memories came back. Monaco is home.
“I hoped that Chelsea would find a solution to allow me to leave on loan. I pushed until the last minute to go to Monaco.”
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Disasi is likely to be slowly reintegrated at Chelsea rather than being thrust into the limelight like Chalobah was.
But he still may well move away from Stamford Bridge when the transfer window opens.
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