Fabrizio Romano: Club really wanted their “leader” to join Tottenham on deadline day, move collapsed
Aston Villa secured a last-minute deal for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi before the January transfer window closed, but Tottenham Hotspur nearly changed the course of the move.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea initially preferred to send Disasi to Ange Postecoglou’s side rather than Villa, yet the player’s firm stance ultimately dictated the outcome.
Disasi, once hailed as a leader at Chelsea by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, found himself struggling for game time this season. With only six Premier League appearances under Enzo Maresca, he became a prime target for clubs in dire need of defensive reinforcements.
Aston Villa’s defensive crisis, following Diego Carlos’s departure and Tyrone Mings’s season-ending ACL injury, made acquiring a center-back a top priority. Tottenham, dealing with their own defensive setbacks, also aggressively pursued Disasi, with key players like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Radu Dragusin sidelined.
As the two clubs vied for his signature, Chelsea agreed to a loan deal with Tottenham, yet Disasi remained steadfast in his decision to join Villa. The move materialized late on deadline day, despite Chelsea’s initial reluctance to approve Villa’s offer.
Disasi’s underwhelming stint at Chelsea saw him rank lower in several key defensive metrics. His lack of consistent starts impacted his statistics, making his departure seem inevitable.
However, Villa recognized his potential and saw him as a crucial addition to their squad. Below is a breakdown of his Premier League performance before the move:
| Stat Category | Performance | Chelsea Squad Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 6 | =20th |
| Goals | 1 | =9th |
| Clearances Per Game | 1.7 | 5th |
| Tackles Per Game | 1.2 | 8th |
| Interceptions Per Game | 0.3 | 12th |
| Match Rating | 6.44 | 20th |
Romano provided insight into how close Disasi was to joining Tottenham, revealing that Chelsea had only wanted to negotiate with Spurs. He stated on his YouTube channel that the Blues had initially refused Villa’s proposal and preferred a straight loan deal with Tottenham.
However, Disasi had already decided on Villa, refusing offers from Tottenham, Wolves, and Italian clubs. His desire to play Champions League football and work under Unai Emery played a decisive role in his choice.
Eventually, Chelsea accepted Villa’s offer, which matched the loan terms agreed with Tottenham—an approximate fee of £5-5.5 million with full salary coverage and no purchase option.
This dramatic transfer saga underscores the influence a player’s personal ambition can have over club negotiations. Despite Chelsea’s preference to strengthen Spurs’ defensive options, Disasi prioritized his future over external pressures.
Villa, benefiting from his determination, gained a quality defender at a crucial point in their season. As Disasi settles into his new team, his decision will be tested in the weeks ahead, determining whether his move to Villa Park was the right call.