Imagine being a star player, suddenly relegated to football purgatory. That’s precisely the situation Chelsea’s Axel Disasi found himself in, banished to the infamous “bomb squad.” But just when it seemed his Chelsea career was dead and buried, a tantalizing twist has emerged: he’s been spotted training with the first team! But here’s where it gets controversial… despite manager Enzo Maresca’s repeated insistence that there’s “no way back” for the French defender. Is this a genuine change of heart, a tactical maneuver, or simply a mirage?
According to reports from AFP dated November 13, 2025, Disasi, a 27-year-old who spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa, had been completely sidelined since the summer. Images purportedly taken at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, as reported by the Daily Mail, show Disasi seemingly back in the thick of things, chasing after Liam Delap during a drill. This raises a huge question: what’s really going on behind the scenes at Chelsea?
Let’s rewind to understand how Disasi ended up in Chelsea’s doghouse in the first place. Signed from Monaco in January 2023 for a hefty £38.5 million, he made 61 appearances before his sudden demotion. He was offered loan opportunities last summer, with West Ham, Bournemouth, and Sunderland all expressing interest. But Disasi reportedly turned down each offer, preferring a move abroad that ultimately never materialized. Now, he’s stuck in limbo, hoping for a January escape.
During the summer clear-out, several senior players, Disasi included, were told to train separately while their futures were sorted. This “bomb squad,” as it became known, included names like Raheem Sterling and Renato Veiga. In a rare glimpse behind the curtain, Disasi himself offered supporters a peek inside the squad’s makeshift quarters via an Instagram post captioned simply “Life.” The photos revealed a stark contrast to the luxurious facilities enjoyed by the first team: basic wooden benches, small windows, and a decidedly unglamorous air-conditioning unit. The implication was clear: these players were being treated like outcasts.
And this is the part most people miss… Despite his exile, Disasi hasn’t been moping around. Far from it, he’s reportedly embraced a mentoring role within the academy, even captaining the Under-21s to a resounding 4-1 victory over Reading. His positive attitude and professionalism have earned him internal praise. This begs the question: is Disasi’s professionalism a genuine attempt to stay sharp, or a calculated move to impress potential suitors for a January transfer? It’s a testament to his character that he has not let the situation affect him.
However, Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has cautioned that the situation with the outcasts needs careful management, warning of the potential for a negative impact on team morale. In an interview with BetIdeas.com, Nevin highlighted the danger of treating players in this way, stating that it could damage the spirit of the dressing room. He emphasized that even though players can be selfish, they still care about their teammates and that the rest of the team will see how their mates are being treated. He warned that this could lead to a situation where players feel like they are also disposable, which is dangerous. “When you treat workers like that, the other workers know this. Just be careful,” he said.
Maresca’s public pronouncements have been unambiguous. When questioned last month about the bomb-squad players, he stated firmly that they were training separately and that he hadn’t seen them since the season started. When asked if any of them could return to the first team, his response was a blunt “No.” This leaves us with a major contradiction: if Maresca has been so adamant about their exclusion, why is Disasi now training with the first team?
Despite the apparent thawing of relations, reports suggest that Chelsea still intends to offload Disasi in January. However, the club has registered both Disasi and Sterling in their Premier League squad, which could prove beneficial during the congested festive period, including crucial Champions League clashes against Barcelona and Atalanta, as well as a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City. This could be pure pragmatism: they need bodies to cover injuries and suspensions during this busy run.
In the immediate future, Chelsea returns to Premier League action on November 22 with a trip to Burnley. Whether Disasi will even make the matchday squad remains to be seen. Will Maresca swallow his pride and give Disasi a chance? Or is this just a temporary arrangement?
Here’s the burning question: Is Disasi’s return a genuine opportunity for redemption, or just a temporary fix to cover for injuries? And more importantly, do you think Chelsea are handling this situation with the “bomb squad” correctly? Share your thoughts in the comments below!