Chelsea are set to part ways with central defenders Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile this summer, as they prepare for a new chapter under Enzo Maresca. Sources have confirmed to Football Insider that the Blues are open to offers for the French duo following the Club World Cup, with both players no longer central to the club’s long-term plans.
Although Trevoh Chalobah has attracted interest from Napoli and several Premier League sides, the focus of Chelsea’s outgoing plans lies firmly on Disasi and Badiashile instead of the homegrown defender. The decision signals a major reshuffle in Chelseas backline ahead of the 2025/26 season, with Champions League football returning to Stamford Bridge.
Both Disasi and Badiashile joined Chelsea from AS Monaco over two years ago in deals that were expected to add strength and depth to the club’s defensive unit. However, neither player has managed to fully convince across two turbulent campaigns.
Disasi, 27, managed 17 appearances in all competitions last season before being loaned out to Aston Villa for the second half of the campaign. Despite gaining minutes at Villa Park, the centre-back is not in Maresca’s plans and will return to Chelsea only to be moved on. He remains under contract until 2029, which could help the club secure a decent fee.
Meanwhile, Badiashile, 24, found opportunities even harder to come by. Limited to just five Premier League appearances and 20 across all competitions, he failed to make a significant impact during Maresca’s debut season. Though highly rated upon arrival, his development has stalled, and with a contract running until 2030, Chelsea are hopeful of recouping a sizable portion of their investment.
With both Frenchmen set to depart, Chelsea are expected to return to the transfer market for fresh defensive reinforcements. Enzo Maresca wants a more tactically flexible and ball-playing back line to execute his possession-based style, and the club’s recruitment team is already identifying targets to suit that vision.
The Blues’ ambitions in Europe next season demand both quality and consistency in defence, traits neither Disasi nor Badiashile have consistently shown in a blue shirt. As Chelsea look to refine their squad under a new managerial era, offloading these two could make room for higher-impact arrivals.
Disasi and Badiashile arrived at Stamford Bridge with promise, but in a results-driven environment, potential only takes you so far. With Maresca aiming to craft a side that can challenge both domestically and in Europe, difficult decisions must be made. Selling both defenders not only makes sense tactically but also financially, freeing up funds and squad space for players more suited to Maresca’s system. If Chelsea want to return to the summit, bold moves like this will be essential.
