Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Fri 29 May 2026 17:10, UK

West Ham United fans will have been hit hard by Axel Disasi’s social media message.

The defender joined on loan from Chelsea in January, and his performances at the back were a major reason the Hammers could sniff a chance of Premier League survival.

Although Nuno Espirito Santo’s side would see their future sealed on Sunday, with Tottenham’s win against Everton deeming the 3-0 triumph against Leeds worthless.

As a result, the Frenchman is set to return to Stamford Bridge over the summer months, with another Premier League move potentially on the cards.

With Championship football on the horizon, Irons fans will be wondering just what could have been with Disasi had they stayed up.

Axel Disasi and a select few can hold head high after West Ham relegation

Racking up 14 appearances for the East London club, Disasi hit the ground running instantly at the London Stadium.

Forming a formidable partnership with Kostas Mavropanos at the back, Nuno’s side would keep a clean sheet in almost half of the matches since Disasi’s arrival.

Though the damage would be done after a dismal run before the turn of the year.

And with West Ham’s relegation to the Championship confirmed, the dreams of signing Disasi on a permanent basis have gone up in smoke – prompting an emotional farewell message.

After a 2-1 win against Tottenham in January, Nuno’s side would embark on a serious uptick in form, before their eventual tally of 39 points saw them relegated.

Multiple among the squad rallied together, with Crysencio Summerville turning into a talismanic figure before his March injury, while the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos and Mateus Fernandes stepped up to the plate.

Disasi sits alongside these names as a group that can keep their head high despite the outcome of the term, with the damage done long before the turnaround.

And without Disasi and that select few, the hopes of survival would not have been there in the first place.

How close were West Ham to keeping hold of Axel Disasi?

For months, it has been the case that the Frenchman would be at the top of West Ham’s list should their Premier League status have been confirmed.

And the most gutwrenching fact about his future is that the Hammers were ever so close to sealing the spot they needed.

Despite the uptick in form, the Irons were unable to pull away from the drop zone, with points thrown away against Crystal Palace, Brentford and Newcastle before the season’s end – the Palace clash in particular being one in which Disasi shone.

Though as strong as the Irons were defensively, the lack of potency in the final third saw the bout end 0-0.

Then, heading into the final day, Nuno’s side would fall to defeat against Arsenal and Newcastle, with points there for the taking had it not been for missed chances and systematic errors.

In the end, West Ham’s relegation came down to fine margins, and they are losing one of their star men as a result.

Frustratingly, it could have gone either way, leaving fans pondering just what could have been as they rebuild for the Championship.