It’s never a dull moment at Stamford Bridge, and this early September has proven no exception, as Chelsea’s midfield depth is being tested to its limits. The latest blow? Young Portuguese midfielder Dário Essugo, just 20 years old and recently signed from Sporting CP, has suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Portugal’s U21 squad. The news, which began circulating widely among Chelsea fans over the weekend of September 6–7, 2025, has left supporters and staff alike anxious about the club’s already stretched resources.
The injury occurred after training on Monday, September 1, 2025. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the setback with an official statement the following morning: “The Chelsea FC midfielder was excused from training due to a muscle problem in his right thigh, which he suffered after training on Monday. The athlete was evaluated by the Portuguese Football Federation’s Health and Performance Department on Tuesday morning and was declared unavailable.” As a result, Essugo was immediately sent back to Chelsea for further evaluation and recovery, with Benfica’s João Veloso called up to replace him in the Portugal U21 squad.
This couldn’t come at a more challenging time for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. The club has already been forced to contend with a string of injuries since the start of the 2025–26 season. Levi Colwill, a promising defensive talent, is sidelined with an ACL tear, while Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest attacking prospects, has missed the last two Premier League fixtures due to a groin issue. The loss of Essugo, though not a regular starter yet, further limits Maresca’s options in midfield.
Essugo’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in June 2025 was seen as a shrewd piece of business by the club’s recruitment team. Secured from Sporting CP for £18.5 million ($23.9 million), the young midfielder was brought in primarily to provide cover for Moisés Caicedo, Chelsea’s marquee Ecuadorian holding midfielder. Caicedo himself has been dealing with fitness concerns during the international break, having missed Ecuador’s first match and been spotted training with a knee brace. Local reports, however, suggest that Caicedo’s absence was precautionary, and he is expected to return to Ecuador’s starting lineup for the high-stakes clash against Argentina, following a cagey 0–0 draw with Paraguay.
Essugo’s role at Chelsea has been clear from the outset: bolster the midfield depth and step in when needed, especially as the club faces a grueling schedule after qualifying for the Champions League off the back of last season’s efforts. The Blues’ management anticipated the challenges of a congested fixture list, moving decisively in the summer transfer window to bring in ten new signings. The hope was to mitigate the risks associated with injuries and fatigue, but the early weeks of the season have already put that strategy to the test.
Despite his youth and relative inexperience, Essugo has shown flashes of promise in a Chelsea shirt. He featured for a total of 38 minutes across three appearances during the club’s successful Club World Cup campaign, helping the Blues lift the trophy in what was widely regarded as a statement of intent for the new era under Maresca. However, he has yet to make his Premier League debut, and this latest setback will delay that milestone further.
The timing of Essugo’s injury is particularly frustrating for Chelsea supporters, who have watched the club’s injury list grow alarmingly in recent weeks. With Caicedo’s fitness still being managed carefully, the midfield cover Essugo was meant to provide is now unavailable, leaving Maresca with some tough choices ahead of the next round of fixtures. The manager’s squad rotation options are narrowing, and the pressure is on for the rest of the midfield unit to step up.
In the meantime, the Portuguese Football Federation has acted swiftly to fill the gap left by Essugo’s withdrawal, calling up Benfica’s João Veloso to the U21 squad. While the focus now shifts to Essugo’s recovery and rehabilitation back in London, the hope among Chelsea staff is that the hamstring issue is not too severe. Hamstring injuries can be notoriously tricky, often requiring weeks of careful management to avoid recurrences or long-term complications. For a young player still adapting to the rigors of English football, patience and caution will be key.
As for Essugo’s Chelsea teammates, the mood remains one of cautious optimism. The club’s investment in squad depth over the summer is already being put to the test, and while injuries have forced some reshuffling, there’s a sense that these challenges could foster a stronger, more resilient group in the long run. The likes of Enzo Maresca are no strangers to adversity, and with a demanding league campaign and Champions League nights on the horizon, adaptability will be crucial.
Meanwhile, fans will be keeping a close eye on the progress of both Essugo and Caicedo. The Ecuadorian midfielder’s expected return to the international stage against Argentina is a welcome boost, and Chelsea will be hoping he comes through unscathed. For Essugo, the focus is on rest, recovery, and eventually making his mark in the Premier League—a debut that will now have to wait a little longer.
Injuries are, unfortunately, part and parcel of top-level football, especially during the relentless international breaks that dot the calendar. For Chelsea, the challenge now is to weather this early-season storm and ensure that the squad’s depth and quality shine through. The next few weeks will be telling, both in terms of results on the pitch and the resilience of a squad determined to compete on all fronts.
For now, Chelsea fans and staff alike will be hoping for good news from the treatment room. With Essugo sidelined and Caicedo’s situation being monitored closely, the midfield battle at Stamford Bridge is heating up—just as the season is getting into full swing.
