Report: Chelsea to offload two defenders this summer | OneFootball

Chelsea Ready to Offload Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi Ahead of 2025-26 Season

French Duo Facing Stamford Bridge Exit

Chelsea are set to listen to offers for centre-backs Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi this summer, according to Football Insider. The report, credited to transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, outlines the club’s intention to streamline their defensive ranks following the conclusion of the Club World Cup.

Manager Enzo Maresca, tasked with shaping the squad in his first full summer window, has reportedly prioritised moving on the French pair ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. While Trevoh Chalobah has also been linked with a move — including interest from Napoli and other Premier League outfits — Football Insider reports (10 June) that “he is not at the top of Chelsea’s unwanted list.”

Instead, Maresca’s focus appears to be on shifting Badiashile and Disasi, two players who arrived at Stamford Bridge in high-profile moves from AS Monaco in 2023.

Mixed Performances and Reduced Roles

Axel Disasi endured a fractured campaign. He made just 17 appearances before being loaned to Aston Villa midway through the 2024-25 season. Despite showing flashes of solidity, he struggled to hold down a consistent role under Maresca. Disasi remains under contract at Chelsea until June 2029, but his days in west London now appear numbered.

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Benoît Badiashile’s trajectory has also dipped sharply. The 24-year-old made just five Premier League appearances and featured 20 times across all competitions in 2024-25. With his contract running until 2030, Chelsea may hope to command a reasonable fee for the defender, who was once viewed as a cornerstone for the future.

Transfer Market Movements Expected

Chelsea’s decision to sell reflects a wider strategic overhaul. After a turbulent few seasons, the Blues appear intent on recalibrating their defensive structure. Given their qualification for the Champions League — finishing fourth in the Premier League — reinforcements at the back are expected.

As Football Insider reports, “Chelsea are expected to dip into the transfer market for yet more defensive reinforcements.” With European football returning to Stamford Bridge, quality and depth will be paramount — and these departures could open space for higher-calibre or more system-fitting options.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Chelsea supporter, this news stirs mixed feelings. On one hand, it’s understandable. Both Badiashile and Disasi failed to establish themselves as defensive mainstays. Despite big-money moves from Monaco and initial promise, neither delivered the consistency or confidence Chelsea need at the back — especially ahead of a demanding Champions League campaign.

Disasi never quite looked like the right fit. His performances oscillated too wildly, and by the time he found any rhythm, he was off to Villa. The club’s readiness to part ways despite his long contract signals a clear verdict: not good enough for the top level Chelsea aspire to.

Badiashile is a tougher pill to swallow. Injuries didn’t help, but when fit, he offered glimpses of a composed, ball-playing centre-back. Yet five league appearances across an entire season? That says a lot about how far he’d fallen in the pecking order. If Maresca doesn’t trust him, then there’s no point in holding on just for potential.

This feels like the right time to cut losses. Fans will be hoping the funds raised are smartly reinvested in elite-level talent — maybe a versatile, aerially dominant centre-half with European experience. Maresca’s defensive rebuild starts now.