When Axel Disasi arrived at Chelsea, I honestly thought he would become one of the leaders of our defence. He had plenty of experience, was coming from a good spell at Monaco, and looked like the kind of strong, commanding centre-back we needed.
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Sadly, football doesn't always go the way we expect.
With reports saying that Xabi Alonso doesn't see Disasi as part of his plans and that he has been left out of pre-season while a move is being arranged, it really feels like his time at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end.
As a Chelsea fan, I can't say I'm shocked.
Disasi had moments where he looked solid and dependable, but he never really found the consistency needed to nail down his place in the team. One week he would put in a strong performance, and the next there would be a mistake that left fans frustrated. At a club where every position is constantly under pressure, that's always going to make life difficult.
I don't think this is about him being a bad player. Sometimes a footballer simply doesn't fit what a new manager wants. Xabi Alonso clearly has a different vision for his defence, and if Disasi is not part of that plan, then moving on is probably the right decision for everyone.
Chelsea are reportedly looking to recover around £25 million for him. It's obviously less than the club paid two years ago, but that's football. Not every signing works out exactly as planned. If that money can be reinvested into players who suit Alonso's system better, then it makes sense.
The reported interest from Roma and AC Milan is encouraging. I actually think Serie A could suit Disasi's style much better. The league is more tactical, and a fresh environment might be exactly what he needs to get his career back on track.
I personally don't have any bad memories of Disasi. He always seemed committed whenever he wore the Chelsea shirt, and I never doubted his effort. Sometimes commitment alone is not enough, especially at a club with Chelsea's ambitions.
If this really is goodbye, I'll wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully he finds a club where he can play regularly and enjoy his football again.
As for Chelsea, I'm hoping this is another step in building a squad that perfectly matches the manager's ideas. Every rebuild comes with difficult decisions, and this looks like one of them. I just hope that, in the end, it's a move that benefits both the club and the player.
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