February 24th 2024.
Tim Sherwood is expressing his concerns about Axel Disasi's performance as Chelsea prepares to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. The former Tottenham manager believes that Disasi's lack of quality on the ball could prove to be a major weakness for the Blues.
Disasi, who joined Chelsea from Monaco in a record-breaking £38.5million transfer, has struggled to settle into the team's defense since his arrival. However, in recent weeks, he has shown signs of improvement, most notably in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Manchester City where he displayed his combative nature with a series of well-timed tackles and interceptions.
But Sherwood is still worried about Disasi's performance, especially when defending on the halfway line. "He cannot handle the ball, he's got a leather allergy," he says. "His turning problem, he doesn't want the football." Sherwood believes that Disasi thrives in defending the box, but when asked to defend further up the field, his weaknesses are exposed.
The former manager suggests that Chelsea's best chance against Liverpool is to defend their box, similar to what they did against Man City. However, with Disasi's struggles in mind, Sherwood believes that the team needs to find a partner for him who can support him comfortably on the halfway line.
When asked about his comment on Disasi's "leather allergy," Sherwood clarifies that it's just a saying to describe the defender's discomfort with the ball. "If you ask him to defend the 18-yard box, it's pretty easy. You haven't got to move, you put your body on the line and you anticipate," he explains.
But with the likes of Mo Salah and Nunez running at him, Sherwood believes that Disasi will face a tougher challenge. "Let's see how he does tomorrow," he says. "I hope he does well and gains some confidence from his recent performance." Sherwood also hopes that Disasi can prove him wrong and show his potential against Liverpool.
In the end, Sherwood reiterates that his main concern is Disasi's struggles with defending on the halfway line. He hopes that the team can find a way to support him and that he can overcome his weaknesses and help Chelsea secure a win in the Carabao Cup final.
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