Axel Disasi, whom Chelsea bought from AS Monaco for £38.8 million during the summer, is primarily a center-back. However, Mauricio Pochettino started him at right-back in the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Brentford.
Reece James just returning from injury and Malo Gusto not impressing in the chances given to him, might’ve tempted Pochettino to start Disasi at right-back.
Axel Disasi not suited for right-back
For former Chelsea legend, Joe Cole, Disasi is not a good fit for the right-back position.
Discussing the Frenchman on TNT Sports, the former England international said: “Disasi has played right-back at times, which doesn’t suit him. He’s a good player, at centre-half done really well.”
Should he continue playing at right-back?
Absolutely not, especially with James fit again and Malo Gusto no longer suspended. As Cole mentioned, it is not a role that suits him.
Axel Disasi is quite a big defender, standing at 6’3″, and lacks pace.
According to WhoScored, he is winning 2.4 aerial duels per game this season, the second-highest average in this Chelsea squad. His strength is his ability in the air and that is where you want him, not on the flank chasing wingers.
You should now expect him to start in central defence when Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur, instead of playing at right-back. With James and Gusto back, there really is no reason for Disasi to be starting at right-back. Marc Cucurella is another player who is probably more of a better fit for the position than the 25-year-old.
Cucurella is naturally a left-back and has played at right-back this season, though he has admitted that it has not been an easy transition. But if Chelsea are lacking their usual options in that position, the Spaniard should get the nod over Disasi.
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