David Sullivan gamble pays off with Axel Disasi as West Ham on track for Premier League survival
Axel Disasi has been a welcome surprise for Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham since joining the Irons in the winter window.
There were plenty of warranted concerns around the French defender due to his lack of game time in the lead-up to his switch to London Stadium from Chelsea.
In truth, it was a big gamble from owner David Sullivan.
However, those concerns around the Chelsea loanee have been utterly alleviated, and the Hammers have been in good standing ever since.
Relegation is still staring Nuno in the face, but with the performances of Disasi, they could very well end up staying in the Premier League.
West Ham’s form with Axel Disasi can keep them in the Premier League
Disasi has been a revelation for the Irons since making the move across London, as the Hammers are now three games without defeat with him starting in defence.
In those fixtures, they have kept two clean sheets, with the one game they failed to do so being a 96th-minute equaliser against Manchester United.
The French centre-back has brought an aura of calm with him to London Stadium, and the Irons are becoming harder to beat with him at the back.
His composure, highlighted by his 91 per cent pass accuracy as per Sofascore, has been key to the recent upturn in defensive form.
During those matches where Disasi has started, Nuno has accumulated 1.67 points per game, more than double their 0.83 tally before he came in.
Calculated until the end of the season, and on top of their current points, the form with the French defender would put West Ham on 43 points after 38 games.
43 points would surely be enough to keep the Irons in the top flight, as Leeds’ manager Daniel Farke believes 38 points is the magic number.
The highest total by a relegated club over a 38-game season was 42 by the Hammers themselves in the 2002-2003 season, so they know very well that nothing is guaranteed with over 40 points, but it is a good omen nonetheless.
Why West Ham should not fear Liverpool
Next up for Disasi and his West Ham teammates is a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool. Typically, this can be a fixture players would dread, but there are reasons for hope.
For Disasi, it is an opponent he may be delighted to see, as he scored his first-ever Premier League goal against the Reds.
Additionally, over the course of the season, there have been signs that the Merseyside club can be got at, with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest providing the proof.
The Tricky Trees rocked up to Liverpool’s home ground and secured a 3-0 win earlier in the campaign.
Nuno will be hoping to come out of L4 with the same outcome and keep that points-per-game trending upwards.
Hopefully, history can repeat itself, and the 27-year-old can open his West Ham account and keep the Hammers on track to survive.
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