Roma Eye £17m-rated Chelsea Defender Axel Disasi

Serie A giants Roma have reportedly made checks on Chelsea defender Axel Disasi as they assess a possible move for the 26-year-old this summer, according to Foot Mercato. The French centre-back, who joined Chelsea from AS Monaco for £38.8m in August 2023, has been valued at around £17m by the Blues.

Context and Background

Disasi arrived at Chelsea with a reputation as a powerful, ball-playing defender capable of operating in a back three or four. However, his debut Premier League campaign has been mixed. He has made 25 league appearances, scoring two goals, but Chelsea have kept just eight clean sheets in those matches. The Blues finished sixth in the 2023-24 season, securing Europa Conference League football, but their defensive record — 63 goals conceded — was the worst among the top half.

Under head coach Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, Chelsea are undergoing a squad overhaul. The club has already been active in the transfer market, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joining from Leicester City. Disasi, still under contract until 2029, could be surplus to requirements as Maresca looks to reshape the defence.

Roma, managed by Daniele De Rossi, finished sixth in Serie A last season and qualified for the Europa League. They have a history of signing Chelsea cast-offs, including Romelu Lukaku and Tammy Abraham, and see Disasi as a potential partner for Gianluca Mancini or Evan Ndicka.

Impact and Analysis

For Chelsea, selling Disasi for £17m would represent a significant loss on their initial investment, but could free up funds and a foreign player slot for incoming transfers. The Blues have been linked with multiple centre-backs this window, including Bournemouth's Alex Scott (though the £64m bid was rejected). Disasi's departure would leave Chelsea with Thiago Silva (who left at end of contract), Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, and Wesley Fofana (returning from injury).

  • Disasi's expected departure aligns with Chelsea's strategy of selling high-value fringe players to balance Financial Fair Play accounts.
  • Roma would gain a versatile defender comfortable in a high line, fitting De Rossi's pressing style.
  • From a Fantasy Premier League perspective, Disasi's exit would boost the minutes of Colwill or Chalobah, but Chelsea's defensive assets remain risky given last season's inconsistency.

What's Next

Roma are expected to formalise their interest with a bid in the coming weeks. Chelsea are likely to demand closer to £20m, but negotiations could settle around £17m. Disasi's preference for regular playing time — he started only 19 league games last season — may push him towards a move. If completed, the deal would be Roma's second defensive signing after securing Leandro Paredes on a permanent transfer. For Chelsea, the funds could be reinvested in a younger centre-back or midfielder, with negotiations ongoing for Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Manchester City's Savinho.

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