04 August 2023 , 10:28
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Axel Disasi claims to have never missed a professional football match through injury, partly because of his love for playing the piano.
Disasi made the sensational claim after finalising his £38.5million move to Chelsea on Friday morning. The France international has signed a six-year contract with the Blues and will provide defensive cover after Wesley Fofana suffered a serious knee injury.
The centre-back was part of his country's squad that reached the final of the World Cup in Qatar - losing on penalties to Argentina - and played in all 38 of Monaco's Ligue 1 fixtures last season. His dedication has helped him chalk up 241 club outings by the age of 25.
Although Disasi is always available for selection, he isn't always picked. That might be the case at Stamford Bridge, as he battles the likes of Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill for a spot in Chelsea's defence.
It's believed Disasi has never suffered a conventional football injury during his professional career. The only time he was unavailable for selection was at the beginning of 2022 when he contracted coronavirus, forcing him to miss two Monaco games.
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This remarkable statistic was relayed when Disasi told Chelsea's website that relaxation helps him maintain his fitness. He explained: "I started playing the piano when I was at Reims, my club before Monaco, when I was going through a difficult period.
"It helped me a lot because it allowed me to think of other things. I like the sound. It’s peaceful and relaxing. I have taught myself, bit by bit. I took a small piano and started watching tutorials on YouTube. Even if there are periods during which I don’t practice too much, I have learned some pieces and that allows me to think of something else.
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"I know it’s sometimes important to clear your head of football, to be able to decompress. To be my best on the pitch I know I need to separate my thoughts... but I am also someone who takes great pleasure in being on the pitch, and with the other players.
"I want to bring my positive energy to this group, to be happy, to have a laugh with my team-mates. I like to have fun, to joke. It’s important because it’s a young group who are very close and laugh together. I like that a lot."
Disasi could go straight into Chelsea's starting XI due to Fofana's injury. New Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to play with a back four and deployed the tactic to great effect during pre-season, with his side winning the Premier League Summer Series.
It's unclear exactly when Fofana will be return to action after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, although there's a chance he will miss all of the new season. It's believed his injury played a big role in Chelsea's decision to sign Disasi.
"Axel has showcased his quality over several seasons in France and that has deservedly led to recognition on the international stage," said Chelsea's co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. "He is ready to take the next step in his career."