Axel Disasi (26) completed a €45m move from AS Monaco to Chelsea last summer and the France international has now revealed the moment that he came onto the radar of manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino spent 18 months as manager of Paris Saint-Germain, following the departure of Thomas Tuchel. It was at this moment that the Argentinian manager first encountered Disasi, who was playing for the Principality club at the time. The Frenchman featured at right-back in a 2-0 Monégasque victory at the Parc des Princes back in February 2021.
Disasi looking to regain France spotThis performance caught the eye of Pochettino, as Disasi revealed in an exclusive interview with Téléfoot. “The first time I spoke with him, he told me about the match that I played at the Parc des Princes when I played as a right-back. He was the coach there during Covid. He told me this anecdote and I really appreciated it because it showed that he already knew me well,” said the Chelsea centre-back.
In his debut season at Stamford Bridge, Disasi has imposed himself as a starter, making an impressive 44 appearances in all competitions. However, despite making a largely successful transition to the Premier League, he has lost his place in the France squad – for now – but he is hoping to win it back. “The Euros? I’m working to get there,” he said.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle