Axel Disasi has returned to Chelsea’s first-team training after months away from the senior setup, with head coach Liam Rosenior confirming the defender’s reintegration ahead of the Champions League meeting with Pafos.
The decision forms part of a broader squad reset under the new manager, who recently delivered his first Premier League win, as detailed by SoftFootball in their coverage of Chelsea’s victory over Brentford. Disasi’s return comes at a time when Chelsea are also preparing for a crucial European night at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior explained in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account that reopening communication with Disasi was important shortly after taking charge. He made it clear that no player would be judged purely on the past, stressing that his first step was dialogue and honesty.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Axel Disasi returned to first team training with Chelsea, Rosenior confirms.
I had a really good meeting with him. I said to players that it’s a clean slate for everybody, it was right for me to chat with him. He’s behind in terms of his fitness and we’ll work with him.
Rosenior added that the conversation was positive and constructive, laying the groundwork for Disasi’s return to group sessions. While the defender is back on the training pitch, Rosenior was careful to manage expectations around immediate involvement.
He openly acknowledged that Disasi has work to do physically after a long spell away from competitive first-team action. The focus for now is rebuilding sharpness rather than rushing him into matchday contention.
Disasi’s return also comes against the backdrop of defensive disruption. Chelsea will be without Tosin Adarabioyo for the next few weeks following a hamstring injury sustained against Brentford, as Rosenior confirmed in his wider team update reported by SoftFootball.
Although Rosenior stopped short of suggesting Disasi is set for an immediate role, the timing naturally raises the stakes around squad depth.
Behind the scenes, Disasi’s longer-term future remains uncertain, with transfer interest expected to resurface before the window closes. For now, though, the message from Rosenior is clear. Every player starts again; effort and attitude matter, and opportunities will be earned on the training ground rather than decided by old labels.
