Eyebrows may well have been raised when Axel Disasi told West Ham United fans he was “ready” to compete when he signed for the club at the start of February.
At the time, Disasi hadn’t played a meaningful game of football at any kind of level since April 2025, around ten months before he joined West Ham United.
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Indeed, the fact that the Hammers turned to a defender who hadn’t played in so long in a desperate attempt to fix their porous backline did look like a gamble.
However, Disasi has proven to be a brilliant signing for West Ham, and his opening message to the club’s supporters is worth revisiting.
Disasi assured West Ham fans he was ready to play instantly
Speaking to West Ham’s official website, the Frenchman said: “I’m very happy to be here, to have this opportunity for my career. I’m just ready to fight and to play games.”
It would be fair to say that he’s come good on that. Disasi made a seamless debut for West Ham away at Burnley and has continued in that vein of form since.
9 cup finals left in the PL this season – who should start alongisde Axel Disasi? 🤔
He has shown little sign of ring rust and the rapid-fire nature with which he has taken to West Ham’s cause has been remarkable.
The club desperately needed the Chelsea loanee to hit the ground running, and he’s certainly done that.
Disasi’s long-term future is uncertain, but that’s not a concern the club can yet burden themselves with.
Disasi isn’t just playing, he’s excelling for West Ham United
Disasi has been one of West Ham’s best players since he joined the club and has played a part in improving their defensive record.
The 28-year-old has made seven appearances for the club, during which they have conceded eight goals.
That roughly works out to 1.14 goals conceded per game.
In the 26 prior to his arrival, West Ham conceded 52 goals (across all competitions) – which is an average of around 2 per game.
Disasi, along with the appointment of Paco Jemez as a first team coach, has helped bring about a significant improvement in West Ham’s defending.
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