“Talk about trying to hand them a leg up” - Jason Cundy hits out at ‘passive’ Chelsea star for being sloppy in 2-0 loss at Ipswich

Pundit Jason Cundy has called out Chelsea defender Axel Disasi for his display in his side's shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town on Monday. The France international struggled at right-back for the Blues as they suffered a second successive league defeat to end the year.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca made a strange choice, starting Disasi as the right-back despite Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Josh Acheampong being on the bench. The Frenchman had started several games at right-back for the side this season and last, but not when all of the side's right-backs have been fit.

Former Blue Jason Cundy was critical of the role played by Disasi in the Tractor Boys' second goal. The pundit blamed the defender for not closing down former Blue Omari Hutchinson, allowing him to fire an effort past goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. He said (via Chelsea.News):

“It’s a gift from Disasi, Disasi, can he do better as well closing down Omari Hutchinson? Make sure he doesn’t get his shot away. Too passive. It’s a lovely finish. Talk about trying to hand them a leg up. Disasi is culpable. It’s a sloppy ball giving it away.”

The former AS Monaco defender gave the ball away to Liam Delap with a poor pass, from where the striker fed Hutchinson to score his side's second. He had also been caught upfield in the sequence which led to Delap winning the penalty for the opener in the first half.

Axel Disasi was eventually taken off in the closing stages, with compatriot Malo Gusto taking his place on the pitch. The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, having failed to nail down a first-team berth in Maresca's side.

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Chelsea lose to Ipswich Town in final game of 2024

Chelsea were left to rue their poor luck as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away from home against newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road. The Blues lost a second successive game, handing Ipswich a first home league win of the season.

Ipswich Town took the lead only 12 minutes into the game after Liam Delap scored a controversial penalty to take his league tally to seven. The Blues thought they found an equalizer minutes later, only for the VAR to rule out Joao Felix's goal for offside. Cole Palmer struck the woodwork twice as the Blues ended the first period in the ascendancy.

Chelsea gifted their opponents a second goal just eight minutes into the second period. Axel Disasi gave up possession, allowing Delap to set up Omari Hutchinson to score. The Blues labored but failed to breach a resolute Ipswich Town backline, suffering a first defeat to the Tractor Boys since 1993.