Laurence Stewart played key role in 25-year-old joining Chelsea this summer

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Chelsea co-sporting director Laurence Stewart played a key role in Axel Disasi moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Laurence Stewart and Axel Disasi already knew each other from AS Monaco, and the latter has told L’Equipe that the former being at Chelsea helped to reassure him before his transfer.

The central defender has also discussed the role Mauricio Pochettino played in his move to west London.

Chelsea signed Disasi from Monaco in a deal worth £38.8m, according to Sky Sports.

Axel Disasi felt reassured by Laurence Stewart

Monaco’s former technical director Stewart being at Chelsea reassured Disasi ahead of his switch to the Blues.

Speaking to L’Equipe, the 25-year-old said: “As I knew the sporting director, it reassured me. The fact that I know he gets on with Paul Mitchell also helped. I asked Paul questions about the project at Chelsea. He was also great with me.”

Axel Disasi a good signing for Chelsea

Right now, Stewart and Pochettino’s decision to bring in Disasi is looking like a very smart one.

Chelsea have had a lot of injury problems in central defence, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah both still sidelined. Disasi’s arrival at Stamford Bridge has softened the blow.

The Frenchman has come in and done a pretty good job in Chelsea’s backline.

For example, as per WhoScored, he is winning 2.4 aerial duels per game, which is the second-highest average in the Blues’ squad.

Disasi also scored that all-important equaliser against Liverpool at the start of the season.

Before Chelsea signed the France international, he did not really look like a necessity. But because Levi Colwill is playing left-back and there have been injuries in the Blues’ backline, it is probably a good job that the club decided to buy Disasi.

He has only missed one Premier League game so far this term after being an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, showing just how important he has been for Pochettino. You would thus expect him to start on Sunday when Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.