West Ham have just agreed ‘disastrous’ deal as new details emerge
West Ham completed the last-minute signing of Chelsea defender Axel Disasi on loan until the end of the season but already have concerns about the deal.
Disasi has not played senior football since April, when he featured for Aston Villa against Man City, having been cast out of Enzo Maresca‘s and then Liam Rosenior‘s side.
Meanwhile, reports have suggested the defender was not entirely convinced by the move to the London Stadium and the prospect of competing in a relegation battle.
Former West Ham chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the 27-year-old’s attitude and potential fitness issues will be a “major problem” for the Hammers.
There are also concerns about Disasi’s ability and whether he is a major upgrade on any of Nuno Espirito Santo‘s current options at the back.
West Ham have new concerns about Axel Disasi
Brown told Football Insider at the start of January that West Ham were accelerating plans to sign a centre-back as the position had emerged as a major concern.
However, after eventually ending up with Disasi despite looking at a number of other targets, there are fresh concerns that they have still not addressed.
“Disasi’s situation at Chelsea was no secret to anybody,” Brown told Football Insider.
“On that basis, I find it hard to see how he’s going to be the one to make the difference for West Ham when they’re trying to address their defensive issues.
“Yes, they needed a centre-back, but that doesn’t mean just go and get whoever’s available.
“They needed somebody strong and stable, a leader at the back who can bring the levels up, people like that have an impact on the rest of the team.
“Instead, they’ve gone and got somebody who hasn’t played for a year, who wasn’t wanted at Chelsea or anywhere else, just because he was available.
“You add on to that the fact that there were some suggestions he didn’t particularly want to join West Ham, what good is that when you’re in a relegation battle?
“He’s not going to come in and fight to keep them up, because he knows even if they get relegated he’s going back to Chelsea, that’s a major problem.
“That, and the fact his fitness levels won’t be at that top level because he’s hardly played a game, it’s a recipe for disaster at West Ham.”
How much are West Ham paying for Disasi?
West Ham have conceded 48 goals in their opening 24 Premier League games this season, marking the worst defensive record in the top flight.
Nuno will be hoping Disasi can help improve matters at the back, with the Hammers currently sitting 18th in the table and six points from safety.
It was always expected Disasi would leave Chelsea in the January window, but West Ham took the deal right to the wire before confirming the loan agreement.
West Ham insider Sean Whetstone reported the east London club will pay Chelsea a £1.68million loan fee for Disasi and cover his £80,000-per-week wages until the end of the season.
They will pay five months’ worth of his wages, which is around £1.8m, taking the overall cost of the deal to just under £3.5million for five months of football.
For more West Ham and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.