Chelsea have reportedly decided how to handle the future of defender Axel Disasi.
During the early weeks of the Enzo Maresca reign, an overly-populated Blues squad were attempting to impress their new head coach.
However, Disasi was not in a position to do that having undergone surgery during the summer, preventing him from participating in pre-season.
The Frenchman did not play any football until the first leg of the Europa Conference League playoff tie against Servette on August 22.
A 90-minute showing in the second leg followed a week later, before Disasi was required to deputise for the injured Reece James and Malo Gusto against Bournemouth last weekend.
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Disasi future decided?
Despite that show of faith by Maresca, Disasi lasted just over an hour at the Vitality Stadium, eventually being replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo.
He has since been dropped from the starting lineup for Saturday's encounter at West Ham United, Wesley Fofana seemingly getting the nod at right-back.
While it is plausible that Disasi could return to the first XI for Tuesday's EFL Cup tie against Barrow, not being included versus the Hammers may be a sign of things to come.
According to Fichajes, Chelsea officials have identified the 26-year-old as one of the players that they are prepared to sell during the January transfer window.
The report says that the West Londoners are ready to cash in on a player who cost €45m just over 12 months ago and proved to be a valuable member of the squad under Mauricio Pochettino.
Disasi was used on 44 occasions under the Argentine, but it appears highly likely that he will not reach those sort of numbers under Maresca.
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Chelsea still under pressure to sell?
All things considered, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital can be left satisfied with how they have substantially reduced the squad numbers and wage bill during the last transfer window.
Nevertheless, it is claimed there is more work to be done, and parting ways with someone such as Disasi would go some way to guaranteeing they comply with the relevant regulations.
From an amortisation standpoint, only a proposal worth in the region of €35 (29.4m) in January would ensure that Chelsea do not make a loss on the former Monaco man.
Darren Plant
