Axel Disasi has broken his silence on being frozen out of the Chelsea squad in the first half of the season, prior to joining West Ham United on loan in the January transfer window.
The centre-back was omitted from their Premier League squad list by former head coach Enzo Maresca. He did not make his first appearance of the season until February, after he joined the Hammers.
Disasi says it was “tough” being sidelined for so many months, but believes it has made him into a better professional.
Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi will ‘get in trouble’ if he tells all about exile
“If I say everything, maybe I will get into trouble, but it was tough. It was very tough to be watching every single week, every single weekend the games on the TV,” he said after helping West Ham reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shootout win over Brentford.
“I was just working, waiting for my time and that’s why now I’m just enjoying because I know what it feels like to be in front of the TV and not on the pitch.
“I learned to be more patient, to stay professional, even if the circumstances were hard. I had the help of my family and they helped me a lot to stay in good shape.
“I try to enjoy every moment because I know it’s not guaranteed.”
West Ham have improved since Disasi’s arrival, losing just one of their five Premier League games since his debut.
“At the moment, I’m on the pitch, it’s very nice,” he added. “All the players want to be on the pitch. Everyone knows, before, it was not the case for me, but I’m just enjoying being on the pitch.
“Here, as well, I find a very friendly atmosphere and I really enjoy it.
“He [Nuno Espirito Santo] just convinced me by playing me. It’s this I needed.
“Especially to play in my position, because it’s something I missed last season when I was playing out of position. He lets me express myself and I’m happy for that and I hope I will keep going like this.”
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