Tim Sherwood fears there is a big weakness in Axel Disasi that Liverpool can exploit (Picture: Sky Sports)
Tim Sherwood has aimed a major dig at Chelsea defender Axel Disasi and fears his lack of quality on the ball could be exposed in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The 25-year-old joined the Blues in the summer in a £38.5million transfer from Monaco and has taken time to settle at the heart of the Blues’ defence.
After a shaky start, the France international has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, culminating in a combative display in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Disasi’s performance was characterised by a series of last-ditch tackles and interceptions, but Sherwood fears he has a major weakness in his game that could be exploited by Liverpool’s rampant forwards at Wembley.
‘I think Chelsea’s best chance is to defend their box, pretty much what they did against Man City,’ the former Tottenham manager told Sky Sports.
‘Disasi is OK doing that. When you’re asking him to defend on the halfway line that’s when he struggles.
‘He cannot handle the ball he’s got a leather allergy. His turning problem, he doesn’t want the football.
Axel Disasi produced his best display for Chelsea yet in last week’s draw against Man City (Picture: Getty)
‘He wants to defend the box, he wants to head it he wants to put his body on the line. That’s great if you’re defending the six-yard box or the 18-yard box.
‘But if you’re Chelsea you cannot do that. You have to defend halfway line you have to find a partner who he’s comfortable with.’
Asked to clarify his leather allergy comment, Sherwood added: ‘He doesn’t want the ball it’s just a stupid saying.
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‘If you ask him to defend the 18-yard box it’s pretty easy you haven’t got to move, you put your body on the line and you anticipate.
‘When you’re asked to get up on the halfway line and Mo Salah is running at you and Nunez is chasing you down… let’s see how he does tomorrow.
‘I hope he does well. I hope he’s got a bit of confidence because it looked like he loved celebrating a little blocked cross.’
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