John Obi Mikel says £39m Chelsea player struggled with the position Enzo Maresca just played him in

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John Obi Mikel thinks one Chelsea player found it really difficult last weekend playing in a position that’s not his natural role.

Chelsea recorded an important away victory in the Premier League last Saturday, winning 1-0 at Bournemouth courtesy of Christopher Nkunku’s late goal.

Blues head coach Enzo Maresca is trying to win over everybody during the opening months of his reign, so it feels important that the team stays within touching distance of the top four.

Position	Team	PlayedMP	WonW	DrawnD	LostL	ForGF	AgainstGA	DiffGD	PointsPts
4	LiverpoolLiverpool	4	3	0	1	7	1	6	9
5	Aston VillaAston Villa	4	3	0	1	7	6	1	9
6	BrightonBrighton	4	2	2	0	6	2	4	8
7	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	4	2	2	0	4	2	2	8
8	ChelseaChelsea	4	2	1	1	8	5	3	7
9	BrentfordBrentford	4	2	0	2	6	6	0	6
10	Man UtdManchester United	4	2	0	2	5	5	0	6
11	B’mouthBournemouth	4	1	2	1	5	5	0	5

Next, Chelsea make the short trip across London on Saturday afternoon to play against rivals West Ham. Will there be any changes in the team selection, though?

• READ MORE: ‘Brilliant’ Chelsea player is in first-team training again after missing Monday’s session

John Obi Mikel on Axel Disasi position

John Obi Mikel thinks that Chelsea’s Axel Disasi struggled in the right-back position in the recent win over Bournemouth.

The £39m defender (Sky Sports), who usually plays as a centre-half, covered at right-back away to Bournemouth because both Reece James and Malo Gusto were absent. He played the opening hour before being substituted off and received some criticism for his display.

Speaking via his podcast, Mikel rated Disasi’s performance on the South Coast: “It’s not his position so I will probably be a little bit critical. It’s not his natural position. It was a difficult night. 4/10.”

Axel Disasi has slipped down the pecking order

Disasi isn’t completely alien to playing full-back. In fact, the 26-year-old player has filled in as a right-back for the French national team and Chelsea before. But we do agree he’s vulnerable in wide areas, especially in one-on-ones.

Disasi has showed he can only really play in central defence, where his strength and physicality comes to the fore.

It was a fairly successful debut season for Disasi with the Blues last year, making 44 appearances across all competitions as a key starter. The early signs under Maresca is that he’s fallen out of favour, though.

We’re still in the early months of Maresca’s reign, but it’s pretty clear he prefers Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill as his main partnership at centre-back. We’d guess Tosin Adarabioyo is next in line, too.

For Disasi, he’s got to hope he’s given a chance as a central defender in the games ahead to impress, even if it’s just in the club’s various different cup competitions.