Axel Disasi played at right back last night against Newcastle at St James’ Park, and by full time he was one of the players getting the most criticism for his performance during the 2-0 defeat that saw Chelsea dumped out of the EFL Cup.
In a way he was lucky that Anthony Gordon spent most of the night on the other wing, but despite that Disasi looked well out of sorts, as he usually does when played at full back.
The stats aren’t pretty. Considering he was playing in defence in an away game, you’d think he’d at least clock up some numbers – but in fact he had no interceptions, tackles, clearances or blocks. He lost the majority of his duels, made two fouls, and most criminally of all, lost possession ELEVEN times.
Let’s not forget, he also scored the second Magpies goal when he put the ball into his own net.
Disasi has to suffer consequences of decisions of manager and sporting directors
At some point you’ve got to start to feel for Disasi. He’s playing at right back despite the fact that Reece James and Malo Gusto are both fit, and Josh Acheampong is being frozen out. Disasi should be nowhere near the team in that position, and we’re sure he’s not asking to be hung out there.
But in order to maximise the strength of the first team these decisions have been made, and Disasi is the one who has to take the flak when he struggles. If we’re going to persist with using both our first team right backs at the same time in the first XI, the decision to freeze out Acheampong at the same time looks even less sensible.
I couldn’t agree more. Disasi may not be the worlds greatest defender, but playing him at right back isn’t fair to him, or the team, or the supporters. It’s a set up for disaster (as we saw in pre-season and again yesterday) and, at this point, the 11 giveaways are at least as much Maresca’s fault as Disasi’s because he’s the one who insisted on forcing a “round peg into a square hole.”
While the cup result was frustrating, I was most annoyed at Maresca’s apparent indifference. His team selection, combined with his substitutions (or lack thereof) seemed indicative of a manager who didn’t mind an early cup exit, and that’s simply unacceptable at Chelsea FC.