Chelsea are hoping that Axel Disasi will be ready for the club’s London derby against Arsenal after the international break.

Axel Disasi had to pull out of France’s national team squad because of injury, but journalist Simon Phillips says the Blues are optimistic that it will not keep him out of the game.

On his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, he said “sources are hopeful” that the central defender will not miss the forthcoming match at Stamford Bridge.

If he does, it will be a huge blow for Mauricio Pochettino.

Disasi has been a key player for the Argentine, who has started him in all eight of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures so far.

Chelsea need Axel Disasi to be fit for Arsenal clash

With Wesley Fofana still out injured and Benoit Badiashile not expected to be at 100% as he recovers from his own fitness issues, Pochettino will be desperate to have Disasi available next weekend.

If not, then Levi Colwill is probably going to have to move into central defence, while Marc Cucurella or Ian Maatsen go to left-back.

It would not be the end of the world, but the Blues have found a bit of form in their last few games. The last thing Pochettino will want to do is start shaking things up.

With that in mind, then, hopefully Disasi, who cost Chelsea £38.8m following his move from AS Monaco in the summer, is ready for the London derby and to help his side win all three points.