Former defender William Gallas has claimed that he 'cannot understand' why Chelsea have signed defender Axel Disasi.

The Blues were productive throughout the summer transfer window, acquiring nine players who will immediately compete for a starting role in Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Disasi was one of those arrivals, being rewarded for an impressive stint with Monaco and having made a number of appearances for France at the 2022 World Cup.

Chelsea paid in the region of £38.5m for the 25-year-old at the beginning of August and Disasi has since played every minute of the club's matches in 2023-24 in all competitions.

However, despite scoring against Liverpool on the opening day, Disasi has been part of a side that has suffered defeats to West Ham United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Blame could be attributed to Disasi for at least one of the goals that Chelsea conceded in the 3-1 reverse to West Ham, but he has remained as a regular name on the teamsheet under Pochettino.

Nevertheless, it is a decision that has been questioned by Gallas, a player who represented the West Londoners between 2001 and 2006 with 225 appearances being made during that time.

Speaking to the Gambling Zone, Gallas has insisted that his compatriot "must improve a lot" if he is to command a place in the team throughout the campaign.

Gallas said: "I was one of the guys who didn't understand why Disasi joined Chelsea. The Premier League is a different league in terms of difficulty. Even though he is a physical player he has to understand strikers will be very strong when they challenge him.

"He has to improve a lot, but he has the opportunity to play alongside Thiago Silva and he has to learn from him, speak to him a lot, and Silva can help him move to the next step. Even though he has joined Chelsea it doesn't mean he is completely ready.

"He still has some bad habits and he has to change them. That's why when I saw his name, I thought he was not ready to join Chelsea. But you have to give him time to settle into a new country, new players and a new club.

"You have to give him time. When you have a foreign player who joins the Premier League you have to at least give them one year."

Disasi has been selected in the France squad for their upcoming two fixtures over the international break.