Insider: West Ham face defensive 'nightmare' as key players set to leave

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(Credit: Imago) West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo faces centre-back ‘nightmare’ after Axel Disasi latest Fri 22 May 2026 12:00, UK West Ham United are facing growing concerns about departing players including Axel Disasi if they suffer relegation from the Premier League.Nuno Espirito Santo is bracing to lose a number of star players, particularly in defence, and the centre-back position has emerged as a major area of concerns.Disasi is expected to return to Chelsea unless the Hammers can secure survival, while speculation about a number of their star players continues to grow.Former West Ham scout Mick Brown warned Football Insider that the East London club could be in “serious trouble” if they cannot prevent a mass exodus.While key players including the likes of Jarrod Bowen continue to be linked away, concerns have emerged about their defence ahead of a big window for West Ham. 🔄West Ham United Transfer Update🔄 Breaking news on signings, departures, and contract news from the West Ham United boardroom. VISIT THE WEST HAM TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES What is next for Axel Disasi if West Ham are relegated?Football Insider revealed on 9 May that Disasi is increasingly likely to leave West Ham as they edge towards relegation from the Premier League.Nuno’s side need to win in their final-day visit to Leeds United and hope Tottenham lose at home against Everton if they are to avoid the drop.Axel DisasiWest Ham StatsAppearancesStartsMinutes PlayedClean SheetsAxel Disasi’s appearance stats since joining West Ham in February.

(via Transfermarkt)However, preparations are already underway as they brace for life in the Championship, and concerns have already emegered about their squad.“People underestimate how much of an impact relegation will have,” Brown told Football Insider.“If Tottenham were to go down, it would be an absolute disaster, but it’s going to be tricky for West Ham as well when you look at their squad.“There are players who will want to leave immediately, that always happens because they don’t want to play Championship football next season.“Look at their defenders, Disasi will leave, Mavropanos will leave, the left-back is attracting interest, so that’s three of your back four probably leaving.“It’s a nightmare, because then you’re left with fourth and fifth-choice players who aren’t good enough even for the Championship, and you have to scramble in the market.“Disasi will be a big miss regardless, so losing players around him means there will be big changes at the back, and that’s very difficult to deal with.“Of course, the manager won’t want to lose these players, but they might have no choice when they go down.”Which other centre-backs could leave West Ham?Disasi is widely expected to leave the London Stadium come the end of the season and return to Chelsea, with a number of Premier League rivals keeping tabs on him.However, he may not be the only key player to leave West Ham this summer, as they are bracing for interest in a number of their top defenders.Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to leave West Ham. (Credit Imago)Brown told Football Insider on 21 April that West Ham will accept offers for Mavropanos regardless of whether they achieve Premier League survival.The 28-year-old is believed to be unhappy at the London Stadium despite establishing himself as a key part of Nuno’s side with an upturn in performances in recent weeks.A number of Bundesliga sides are believed to be keeping tabs on his situation, where he previously played for Stuttgart, and a return to Germany could appeal. ⚒️ Don’t Miss a Beat: Your West Ham Insider Access Get the full story from the London Stadium and Rush Green with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from East London.