Chelsea outcast set for surprise first team return but faces clear problem

Axel Disasi has been locked out of the Chelsea first team this season but could be set for a surprise return to the fold - although it remains to be seen when he will feature for the Blues

Axel Disasi, who has been banished to the sidelines by Chelsea this season, made a rare appearance in the Blues' Under-21s squad this week and now looks set for a first-team comeback. The French defender, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, failed to secure a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge over the summer despite being deemed surplus to requirements.

Ex-Monaco ace Disasi, who was signed for a hefty £38.5million in the summer of 2023, featured in 44 matches across all competitions during Mauricio Pochettino's tenure. However, his game time dwindled under Enzo Maresca, with the Italian manager excluding him from his Premier League squad.

But it seems the tables may be turning. Sky Sports reports that the 27-year-old's positive attitude has caught the attention of the club, and he has recently trained with the senior team as he edges closer to a return to the pitch.

However, there's a catch - until January, at least, Disasi is ineligible to play for Maresca's team in the league. But he could still feature in other competitions, potentially making the cut when the Blues take on Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final in December.

Disasi, who had been training separately from the first team and hadn't seen any action since returning from his loan spell, was given a chance to shine for the Under-21s as one of their allowed overage players in a Premier League 2 match against Reading earlier this month.

He took up the centre-back position and donned the captain's armband in a 4-1 triumph, with Shim Mheuka netting twice for Chelsea. There was also a brief appearance from another of the club's fringe players, Brazilian forward Deivid Washington, who came back from a loan stint at Santos in September.

Chelsea's decision to bring Disasi back into the fold comes as injuries continue to mount. Levi Colwill is set to be sidelined for the entire season following ACL surgery, while fellow centre-half Benoit Badiashile has been limited to just three outings this term.

"Benoit will be out until December,' Maresca revealed in mid-October. Badiashile had made his first league start of the season against Liverpool, only to be pulled off due to injury before the hour mark. "He is injured again with a muscle problem," the manager added. "He was doing fantastic, showing how good he is, and how we need him. So we will wait for him."

Romeo Lavia is another name on the injury list, with the midfielder starting against Qarabag in the Champions League but seeing his evening come to an early end. His absence could result in Reece James being utilised in a midfield position, which means Disasi's ability to play at right-back could prove useful.

Chelsea are scheduled to return to action on November 22, facing Burnley in the Premier League. They will host Barcelona in the Champions League three days later, before welcoming league leaders Arsenal to Stamford Bridge.