Axel Disasi has promised Chelsea he will bring an ‘aggressive and physical’ brand of defending after completing his €45m move to the club from AS Monaco.
Disasi has signed a six-year deal with the west Londoners and arrives as Chelsea’s fifth major signing of the summer, following deals for Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Angelo and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Chelsea targeted a deal for the imposing centre-back after Wesley Fofana was sidelined with an ACL injury and Disasi has expressed his delight at completing a transfer to the Premier League.
“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,” he told the club’s official website.
“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.”
Disasi made his debut for the France national team at last winter’s World Cup and has impressed with his commanding performances for Monaco in Ligue 1. The 25-year-old has opened up on what the Chelsea fans can expect from him this season.
“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.
“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.”
