While Paco Jemez may have arrived as West Ham United’s most high-profile January signing – at least in Spain – the arrival of Axel Disasi arguably slipped under the radar. Yet for the French centre-back, a change of London postcode proved a vital breath of fresh air, liberating him from what he described as a "golden cage".

Enzo Maresca’s uncompromising stance on his peripheral players effectively turned both Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling into club outcasts. Banished from first-team training and unable to even share meals at the training ground, the winger and the centre-back existed in a parallel world while awaiting their exits. To his credit, the Frenchman managed to maintain some sharpness with several appearances for the reserves.

Ultimately, Sterling secured a move to Dutch side Feyenoord, while Axel Disasi joined West Ham United on loan until 30th June, with a permanent option included for the end of the campaign. Having spent half of last term at Aston Villa, he is now flourishing at the London Stadium, starting five of his six matches since his debut. His only substitute appearance came in the previous FA Cup round against Burton Albion.

Meanwhile, Axel Disasi has been a key figure in the Hammers impressive run of form. With the Frenchman anchoring the backline, they have kept four clean sheets in six matches, shutting out Burnley, Burton, Bournemouth, and Fulham last weekend. Nuno's side conceded in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United and suffered just one significant setback against Liverpool.

At Anfield, West Ham were on the receiving end of a crushing 5-2 defeat, a match in which Axel Disasi inadvertently netted an own goal. However, putting aside that disastrous trip to Merseyside, the Frenchman has undeniably stabilised the defence. Conceding just one goal in their other five matches has helped propel the 'Hammers' out of the immediate danger zone. While they remain in the relegation places, they now sit level on 28 points with Nottingham Forest and trail Tottenham by just a single point. In the FA Cup, they will seek further joy against Brentford as they eye a place in the quarter-finals.

Axel Disasi

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