Axel Disasi has been a revelation since signing on loan from Chelsea on deadline day in a deal which nearly collapsed and now he has named former and current West Ham stars who helped make it happen.
Imagine West Ham’s fight against relegation without Axel Disasi – it almost doesn’t bear thinking about.
In that case the Hammers should be thanking their lucky stars because the deal which saw the French centre-back arrive on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season came very close to falling through.
Now Disasi has named the six ex and current West Ham stars who were key to a deal that almost collapsed – not to mention one very important family member.
Disasi says three ex and three current West Ham stars were key to him signing
It was a case of third time lucky when Disasi joined the Hammers’ fight to avoid relegation.
Sporting director Mark Noble actually identified Disasi as a target for West Ham when he went on a scouting mission to Monaco – but he ended up signing for Chelsea instead.
DISCUSS: How much would you pay for Axel Disasi? 💷
Disasi has THREE years left on his Chelsea contract…
The Irons tried for Disasi again last season in a loan bid but this time the player snubbed West Ham and went to Aston Villa, who had loftier aims of European qualification.
West Ham’s move for Disasi in the January window was not plain sailing either, though.
In fact Hammers News understands the deal almost collapsed with the centre-back reportedly unsure about joining West Ham’s battle to beat the drop.
The move was only resurrected after the 27-year-old was persuaded to join after being given assurances from Nuno Espirito Santo that he would start every game he was fit and available for.
In the end it needed a “late deal sheet” to seal the move two hours after the deadline.
Thank goodness the Hammers managed to get it over the line given just how influential Disasi has been since.
Many supporters wrote him off as a poor signing given he had not played any competitive football for nine months.
Disasi loved watching Ba, Payet and Benrahma play for Hammers
But he quickly proved them all wrong, providing the solid, leadership figure that has been so sorely needed in the heart of West Ham’s defence.
If West Ham do survive, Disasi will have been just as important to that achievement as Crysencio Summerville.
9 cup finals left in the PL this season – who should start alongisde Axel Disasi? 🤔
And it seems the Hammers have three former players, three current stars and a key family member to thank.
Disasi has revealed his aunt, who has lived in Stratford for years and supports West Ham, pushed for him to make the switch across from Chelsea and was delighted when he did.
But she wasn’t the only one who helped make it happen.
As well as being convinced by the promise of starting matches, Disasi says knowing three current stars in the shape of his trio of compatriots Jean-Clair Todibo, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and former Monaco graduate Soungoutou Magassa was crucial in helping make his mind up and feel comfortable moving to east London.
But three former Hammers also had an influence on his decision too – and one is a real throwback.
Because he knew all about West Ham having enjoyed watching the club all the way back to when they had a certain Demba Ba, Dimitri Payet and, more recently, Said Benrahma.
“My situation at Chelsea before was a little bit crazy, so it’s been great to come straight in and be part of the group, and everyone has been brilliant to me,” Disasi told West Ham’s website.
“The fans, the other players and the staff at the training ground, I have to say thank you to everyone, because straight away I felt part of the family, and that I am in the right place.
“There were a few players I knew or knew of before I arrived here, such as Alphonse JC and Soungoutou, which made the integration even easier…
“My family were pleased for me that I got the move, particularly my Auntie who lives in Stratford and is a West Ham fan!
“When I was growing up, West Ham to me was seeing players like Dimitri Payet score his free-kicks, because he had a big following in France. To be following in his footsteps, as well as players like Demba Ba and Saïd Benrahma, who I used to enjoy watching, is really cool.”
Now West Ham will just have to hope those influences – and achieving that all-important Premier League survival – can convince Disasi to stay.
Because Disasi has given West Ham encouragement over a permanent move in what represents a major U-turn from his feelings of trepidation about joining in the first place.
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