Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has been speaking about Mauricio Pochettino’s role in his move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The Blues signed Axel Disasi from AS Monaco and the centre-back has spoken to L’Equipe about a conversation he had with his new manager before his transfer.
He has been a key player under Pochettino this season, missing just one game in the Premier League so far.
Disasi started in the 4-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday and will be expected to retain his place for the clash versus Manchester City this weekend.
How Mauricio Pochettino convinced Axel Disasi to join Chelsea
A conversation between Pochettino and Disasi before he moved to Stamford Bridge played a part in the Frenchman’s decision to switch clubs in the summer.
Speaking to L’Equipe, he said: “When we started to speak, he spoke to me about the match at the Parc des Princes, about how we had won and that I had played as a right-back against Kylian Mbappe […] Pochettino followed my season and wanted me to join Chelsea.
“I felt that he was really interested, that he knew me really well. Things accelerated after the call with Pochettino and the sporting director. They really tried to bring me here.”
Mauricio Pochettino will be glad Axel Disasi decided to join Chelsea
Again, Disasi has been an important player for Pochettino this season.
According to WhoScored, the France international is winning 2.4 aerial duels per game in the Premier League. Only Levi Colwill (2.5) has a higher average in the Blues’ squad.
He has also come in at right-back, offering his manager versatility, though Chelsea legend Joe Cole does not think it is a role that suits him.
Looking at the conversation that Disasi and Pochettino had prior to his arrival, though, it looks like the Argentine appreciates the fact that he can play there.
However, with Reece James fit again and Malo Gusto available, it is not something that we are expecting to see too often going forward.
Still, all in all, Disasi has proven to be a good signing for Chelsea and has been really useful after Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana’s injury problems. Trevoh Chalobah, like Fofana, is still out as well, so having Disasi around has turned out to be quite beneficial.
