Axel Disasi recalls earliest Chelsea memories after sealing Stamford Bridge transfer
- Disasi has joined Chelsea for £38m
- French centre-back is ready to embrace the club's history
- Disasi also offered an insight into his playing style
By Tom Gott
Axel Disasi is keen to add his name to the long list of French stars to succeed at Chelsea after sealing his move to Stamford Bridge.
Disasi sealed his £38m switch from Monaco on Friday to become Chelsea's sixth signing of the summer and help cover for an injury to another Frenchman, Wesley Fofana.
There's a real French feeling about Chelsea right now, with Disasi joining Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu and Malo Gusto in moving to the club this summer.
"It’s a club that has been very popular for French players because they have all done well here - [Frank] Leboeuf, [Marcel] Desailly, [Nicolas] Anelka, [N'Golo] Kante, [Olivier] Giroud..." Disasi told club media. "And the colour is blue like the national team! It’s good
"It’s a familiar club for French people, and I hope all the French players here now can join that line of great players."
Asked for his earliest memories of Chelsea, Disasi recalled the 2012 Champions League final as a moment which remains in his mind.
"The one that comes straight to my mind when I think about Chelsea matches is the final against Bayern, when [Didier] Drogba scored that amazing header at the end," he explained. "I was about 14 and it left an impression on me.
"I enjoyed watching [Eden] Hazard, Drogba, [Frank] Lampard. I liked David Luiz a lot! He was crazy. He was so fun to watch on the pitch and he could shoot from so far out. I like to do that sometimes too! Also, Cesc Fabregas - I played with him for two years in Monaco and he was amazing. Those players stand out."
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Ahead of joining up with Mauricio Pochettino's squad, Disasi offered fans an insight into his playing style.
"I’m a defender who likes to properly look for the ball and win it back," he said. "The best way of anticipating the opposition player’s move is by being in the best position possible.
"I like to have the ball at my feet and play passes. I like interceptions, and I like to be aggressive with the opposition, to use my physicality.
"When I was younger, I started as an attacker. When I got bigger, I moved back. As a professional I have played left-back, right or left centre-back or in a three, and with the national team at the World Cup at right-back.
"I like full-back too because it allows me to play more with the ball. I like to be offensively minded, and I can score goals."
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