Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has acted swiftly in the transfer market following Chadi Riad’s distressing injury on opening day, securing defender Axel Disasi on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The French international completed his move to South London after hard-fought negotiations between both clubs, training with his new teammates for the first time ahead of Friday’s showdown against Manchester City.
Sage Relief as Disasi Deal Crosses Line
Disasi’s arrival delivers crucial central defensive reinforcement for Sage, who saw Moroccan international Riad stretchered off in tears during the 2-0 defeat to Everton
Speaking on the official completion of the loan move, Sage expressed his satisfaction with bringing in a player who actively prioritised a move to Selhurst Park:
“Now it’s official, so it’s good news for us, especially with what happened with Chadi. That’s why it’s important for us. We had to wait a little bit because, you know, the negotiations, as I told you, are hard. At the end, we find an agreement with him and with his club. That’s why now he’s ready. He made his first session with us today.”
“We will see if he’s able to play tomorrow because he didn’t play in competitive conditions during the beginning of the season, but he’s a football player, you know, it’s his job, and we have the opportunity to help him, with time, to come in the team. (I like) A lot of things (about him). First of all, to be stable, to help the team in this department because, we have an injury and we wanted to recruit.
“That’s why we need, maybe another player in this department. He (will give) us the confidence, his experience. He’s able to play good with the ball. He’s able to defend, in different positions in the back three. That’s why it’s a good option for us.”
Fitness Check and Motivation
Having missed Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures, questions remain regarding Disasi’s match sharpness ahead of potential involvement against Enzo Maresca side. However, Sage revealed positive reports from fitness staff who previously worked alongside the defender in France:
“Yeah, that’s a good question because he trained, but he trained in certain conditions that we have no certainty about his ability to play 11 v 11. We saw him this morning in the small sided games, but I know he walked a lot.
“He worked with our fitness coach in Monaco before and he told him all he did during this summer. What is sure that he’s really happy to come. He wanted to come. It’s not a B, C or D plan. If you want, it was his priority, and we are really happy. Now, we just want to see him in good condition and maybe Friday, why not?”
Tactical Plan to Neutralise Haaland
Facing Manchester City under the Friday night lights at Selhurst Park presents a formidable tactical test for Sage’s backline, particularly when handling Erling Haaland. The 47-year-old French coach outlined his strategic framework to disrupt City’s rhythm:
“There’s two options. The first option is to think about the space by letting them not (have) too much space, or the second option is by cutting the passing line higher, as we can.
“So, we will be between these two options and deal with that (depending) on the moment of the game, but the most important thing is to optimise the time (when) we have the ball and when we attack. If you are able to attack against this kind of team, and if you are able to, make some problems for them.
“I think the psychology of the game could change because they have the ability to have the ball, they have the ability to control the play. That’s why we have to be ambitious in the play, and to try to do our best with the ball because. We want to be in the head of our opponent.”
Sage clearly refuses to let opening-day misfortune set the tone for Palace’s season. By moving fast to bring in Disasi and outlining a brave, proactive blueprint to take on Manchester City, the Eagles boss is signaling that his side won’t simply sit back and take punches. Friday night at Selhurst Park will offer an immediate reality check on whether this tactical ambition can deliver results on the pitch.
