Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi has admitted he pushed hard for a return to Monaco during the summer transfer window, only to see his efforts fall short.
The French defender, who joined Chelsea in a €45m deal in 2023, has struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge. After spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he played regularly under Unai Emery, Disasi expected to leave permanently this summer.
Instead, Chelsea blocked a reunion with Monaco, the club where he enjoyed his most successful spell.
Disasi: “I Insisted Until the Last Minute”
Speaking to Carre (via journalist Santi Aouna), the 27-year-old admitted Monaco’s approach stirred powerful emotions:
“Between approaches from Bournemouth and West Ham, Monaco arrived, and it touched me deeply. I spent three incredible years at Monaco. When they arrived, all the memories came flooding back. Monaco is my home. I hoped Chelsea would find a solution to allow me to go on loan […] I insisted until the last minute on going to Monaco!” — Axel Disasi
Despite his insistence, Chelsea refused to sanction a move, leaving Disasi in limbo until at least January.
Chelsea Career Stalls
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Monaco in 2023, Disasi has been unable to establish himself as a first-choice defender. He was part of the group Chelsea were prepared to offload this summer, with Bournemouth and West Ham among the interested clubs.
His preference, however, was always Monaco, where he made 129 appearances between 2020 and 2023 after a €13m switch from Stade Reims.
Axel Disasi Career Snapshot
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stade Reims | 2016–2020 | 78 | 3 |
| Monaco | 2020–2023 | 129 | 12 |
| Chelsea | 2023– | 32 | 2 |
| Aston Villa (loan) | 2024–25 | 21 | 1 |
source: club records – 9 September 2025
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says Disasi’s situation highlights Chelsea’s transfer mismanagement:
“Disasi’s case is another example of Chelsea stockpiling players without a clear long-term plan. He thrived at Monaco and wanted to return, but instead he’s stuck at Stamford Bridge where he isn’t trusted as a starter. Come January, both club and player need to find a permanent solution.”
Key Insights
- Disasi admits he “insisted until the last minute” to rejoin Monaco.
- Chelsea blocked the move despite Bournemouth and West Ham interest.
- Defender spent last season on loan at Aston Villa.
- Made 129 appearances for Monaco from 2020 to 2023.
- Faces uncertain role at Chelsea until January window.
What’s Next for Disasi?
With Chelsea short of defensive depth due to injuries, Disasi may still see minutes under Enzo Maresca this autumn. However, his future appears firmly away from Stamford Bridge, with Monaco likely to revive interest in January.
For the player himself, the motivation is clear — he wants to feel “at home” again, something he believes only Monaco can provide.
👉 Should Chelsea have let Axel Disasi leave for Monaco — or was blocking the move the right call given their defensive needs?
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