Chelsea have delivered a blow to their midfield plans with the news that Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh injury. The 20-year-old picked up the problem while playing for Portugal’s Under-21s during the international break.
Softfootball understands that the procedure was successful and that the youngster will now begin his recovery programme at Cobham. In a short statement via the clubs official website, Chelsea explained that surgery was the required course of action after medical assessments. Essugo will be working closely with the medical department as he starts his rehabilitation.
Chelsea Posted:
Midfielder Dario Essugo has undergone successful surgery today on his thigh. The 20-year-old sustained the injury whilst on international duty for Portugal’s Under-21s. Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action and Dario will now begin his recovery at Cobham, supported by the club’s medical department.
The timing is really bad for the Blues, with the team about to kick off their Champions League campaign and with Essugo included in the squad list. Depth in midfield was already a concern, and Essugo’s absence may force Enzo Marescato to lean more heavily on senior regulars or promote academy talent earlier than planned.
In addition, Liam Delap remains out after sustaining a hamstring injury against Fulham on August 30. The forward is not expected back until November, meaning Chelsea are short in both midfield and attack.
It is a sad situation for the midfielder, who just arrived from Sporting Lisbon in June and has yet to feature for the first team. He had been viewed as a squad option, particularly as cover for Moisés Caicedo, but now looks set to miss a significant portion of the season. No exact timeline has been provided by the club, although early reports suggest the layoff could last several months, but one thing is certain: his recovery will determine his availability.
For Essugo, the focus will be on recovery and making a fresh push later in the season. For Chelsea, it is another reminder of how quickly plans can be disrupted by injuries, even before the campaign reaches its busiest stage.
