Chelsea fans have reacted to the inclusion of French defender Axel Disasi in their team's starting XI against Everton. The 25-year-old defender has been handed a rare start in defense by head coach Enzo Maresca this afternoon.
The West London giants could go top of the Premier League table this afternoon for the first time since 2021, should they pick up a win away to Everton and rivals Liverpool drop points at Spurs.
Ahead of the highly anticipated PL fixture at Goodison Park, head coach Maresca has rolled out his starting XI, with some notable changes, especially in defense.
Injuries suffered by the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, as well as a suspension handed to Marc Cucurella, have forced Maresca into naming a surprising defensive set-up against Everton.
Fans have, however, reacted online to the team news, which has Disasi named among the back four to face Sean Dyche's team.
One fan on X [formerly Twitter] revealed that he isn't quite comfortable with Disasi featuring against Everton. He wrote:
"Like it. Given the injury and suspension constraints, of course. Although, I'm never comfortable with Disasi starting in difficult games."
Another fan said:
"Disasi in this line up scares me."
Another fan insinuated that the Blues could lose due to Axel Disasi starting the game. The post read:
"Disasi yeah just give me my 1-0 loss."
Check out other fan reactions following Enzo Maresca's decision to name Disasi in the Chelsea starting XI away to Everton.
"Hopefully we can go there and beat them" - Chelsea manager speaks ahead of clash away to Everton
The Italian tactician has reacted to his side's poor record away to Everton and is hopeful his team can pick up a deserving win at Goodison Park this weekend.
Chelsea have picked up just one win in their last six Premier League visits to Goodison Park. He has managed to score just twice and conceded nine goals in the process.
A win at Goodison Park could as well take them to the top of the league standings while hoping that rivals Liverpool somehow drop points away to Tottenham.
Speaking about his side's poor record away to Everton, Maresca said via Football London:
"No, it's something that I didn't know, to be honest. Hopefully we can go there and beat them. For sure, it will be a tough game, but we're going to try to prepare for the game in the best way we can."
"The target is always the same: prepare the game to win the game and then we see. Everton’s stadium is not tough only for Chelsea. It’s tough for any club," he added.