‘Monaco is home’ – French-Congolese defender Axel Disasi explains rejecting West Ham move

Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi has lifted the lid on why he rejected a late transfer to West Ham United, insisting his heart was set on an emotional return to AS Monaco.

The 27-year-old defender, who has been frozen out of Enzo Maresca’s plans at Stamford Bridge, was urged to find a new club before the transfer window closed but resisted a move across London.

Born in Gonesse, France, to Congolese parents, Disasi represents the French national team but retains strong ties to his African heritage.

Speaking to La Media Carré, Disasi explained his reasoning. “In the period between the approaches from Bournemouth and West Ham, Monaco arrived and that hit me emotionally.

“I had three incredible years at Monaco. When they came in, all the memories came back. Monaco is home,” he said.

The former Reims and Monaco defender joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a reported £38 million but has seen his role diminish under Maresca this season.

Despite being encouraged to leave, Disasi said he tried everything to engineer a loan back to his former club.

“I hoped that Chelsea would find a solution to allow me to leave on loan. I pushed until the last minute to go to Monaco,” he added.

Disasi’s decision leaves his immediate future uncertain, with Maresca yet to reintegrate him into the first team.

However, his refusal to join West Ham highlights the emotional pull of Monaco, where he captained the side and developed into one of Ligue 1’s most reliable defenders before earning his Premier League move.