World Cup Winner Set for Leeds with Chelsea Desperate to Sell

Bomb Squad Member Axel Disasi to Leave Chelsea at Last

Much of the summer transfer window rumour mill revolved around Chelsea players deemed surplus to requirements, also known as the bomb squad. High-profile names such as Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all found themselves on this list, and the majority managed to find moves in the summer.

The strategy worked too - Dewsbury-Hall is thriving at Everton, Chilwell is performing well at Strasbourg, and Nkunku, despite struggling to find his feet, managed to snag a move to AC Milan, highlighting that sometimes, the grass is greener elsewhere.

🚨 Leeds United is set to rescue Axel Disasi from Chelsea’s “bomb squad” this January! With the defender struggling for playtime, a move to Elland Road could reignite his career. Can he help Leeds in their fight for Premier League survival? #TransferNews… https://t.co/LCUIoypyVh

— Cedi Sports | News (@CediSports) January 7, 2026

However, Sterling failed to find a move, and alongside him, Axel Disasi remained at the club, even being relegated to the U21s for a period of the season, However, it seems that the French defender is finally set to find his move away this month, with Leeds United leading the race.

Best for All Parties

When he arrived at Chelsea for £39 million from Monaco at the start of the 2023/24 season, Disasi was virtually an ever-present in the team - he played 44 games under Mauricio Pochettino, and while he was not spectacular, he was for the most part solid.

Alongside Levi Colwill at the heart of the Chelsea defence, the 27-year-old World Cup winner showed what he could do, particularly standing out with a dominant performance against Manchester City in February 2022, where it seemed he simply could not lose a duel - he didn’t give Erling Haaland a sniff.

Unfortunately, these performances were few and far between, and it only took Enzo Maresca 17 games to work out that Disasi would not be part of his first-team plans. As such, he was sent out on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season, and upon his return, he was promptly put up for sale.

However, despite interest from both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the summer, a move failed to materialise, and Disasi remained at Chelsea after the close of the transfer window. However, with Maresca not considering him worthy of a spot in the first team, he has failed to make an appearance or even a matchday squad, instead bringing a steady, experienced head to the U21s side.

However, the centre back has Champions League experience and a World Cup-winning reputation, which, while not valued at Chelsea, is certainly valued elsewhere. As a result, interest in him has been revived this month, with Leeds United leading the race to sign him.

Throwback to when Disasi x Colwill CB pair pulled this masterclass against Man City. This match sold big dreams to Chelsea fans man.pic.twitter.com/sR8mbQYBz7

— GiftedHands (@Sire_Gift) January 3, 2026

Daniel Farke’s side have silenced critics with their recent run of form, which includes wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, as well as draws with Man City, Liverpool and Man United - in all, they are unbeaten in the last seven, and the January transfer window provides the perfect opportunity to sign players who can maintain that momentum.

Only five teams have conceded more than Leeds’ 33 goals, and if Disasi were to sign for the Whites, he would bring calm and composure to a back line that, more often than not, looks like a deer caught in headlights.

Moreover, given Chelsea’s willingness to dispose of him, they could get Disasi for considerably less than his £21 million market value. It is unclear whether the prospective move would be a permanent deal or a loan, but whatever the case, Disasi moving on is the best solution for all parties.