Sunderland target Axel Disasi once broke incredible World Cup record that stood for 56 years
Sunderland may have found a gem in Axel Disasi as they look to strengthen their backline.
Regis Le Bris’ side announced themselves to the Premier League with a 3-0 win against West Ham.
But the cracks are already showing as Burnley put two past Sunderland at Turf Moor. While the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, the Black Cats are determined to use the final days of the window to their advantage.
Thus, Sunderland will be hoping that Disasi is the next player to be welcomed at the Stadium of Light.
Axel Disasi won his first French cap in a World Cup game
Sunderland are keen to sign Disasi from Chelsea before the summer transfer window closes.
The Black Cats have done business with Chelsea earlier this summer, with Marc Guiu arriving on a loan deal. Due to Premier League rules, Guiu’s loan may have encouraged Sunderland to sign Disasi on a permanent transfer.
If he lands at the Stadium of Light, he will follow his fellow Frenchman Nordi Mukiele, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the window.
But if Sunderland cashes in, they will already be getting a player who has broken records for his country.
According to the official Olympics page on 14 December 2022, Disasi is the first outfield player to win his first French cap in a World Cup game since 1966.
French coach Didier Deschamps rotated heavily for Les Bleus’ final group game against Tunisia. This saw the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Benjamin Pavard start from the bench as Randal Kolo Muani and Disasi were woven into the fold.
After earning the trust of the French coach on the biggest footballing stage, Sunderland could be the club to bring out the fire he possesses within.
- Read more: Regis Le Bris could sign his own John Terry after what Jamie Carragher said about Sunderland target
Is Disasi the right signing?
Disasi is a unique profile in that he can play as both a centre-back and a full-back.
The Frenchman spent most of the 2024/25 season as a right-back. However, his 2023/24 season demonstrated how he blends the two positions.
As a centre-back, Disasi is excellent on the ball. He possesses a hunger to drive the ball forward, which he also does on the wing. In terms of forward passes, he was in the 88.9 per cent percentile in 2023/24.
However, he is a defender who is mediocre in defence. In the same season, he was in the 1.3 per cent percentile for defensive duels and 64.1 for aerial duels.
While his on-the-ball movements are a bonus, his defensive drawbacks may be too high for a newly promoted team.
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