Chelsea’s plans in midfield have been disrupted after Dario Essugo suffered a freak injury during training that will sideline him for more than a month.
The 20-year-old, who arrived from Sporting CP in June, has endured a frustrating start to life at Stamford Bridge, having yet to make a competitive appearance this season.
A serious thigh problem picked up in September had already stalled his integration before the latest setback further delays his progress.
Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed the nature of the injury, describing it as a cruel blow for both player and club.
“Dario picked up a really unfortunate injury. He slipped in training and he is going to be out for a while, over a month,” Rosenior said, admitting disappointment at losing a player he was eager to work with.
Transfer plans shaped by midfield availability
Essugo’s ongoing fitness issues are understood to be one of the factors behind Chelsea’s exploration of the loan market. Reports from The Athletic suggest the club are considering a move for Douglas Luiz, currently contracted to Juventus and on loan at Nottingham Forest, to bolster midfield depth for the remainder of the campaign.
Despite the setback, Rosenior insists Chelsea are not short of quality options in the middle of the park, pointing to Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos and Reece James as existing solutions.
He stressed the club’s cautious approach to recruitment, emphasising that any new arrival must clearly improve the squad and fit the chemistry being built.
Palmer fitness and speculation addressed
Attention has also turned to Cole Palmer, who returned to training on Friday after missing the narrow win over Pafos with a minor thigh issue. Rosenior will assess the attacker’s readiness before Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Recent reports linking Palmer with homesickness and a possible return to Manchester were firmly dismissed by the Chelsea coach.
“I have had numerous conversations with Cole. He is very, very happy to be here. He is a huge part of our plans for the long-term,” Rosenior said, attributing visible frustration in recent matches to injury rather than discontent.
Positive update on Jorgensen
Chelsea received more encouraging news regarding goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Scans on the leg injury he sustained against Pafos revealed the issue is less serious than initially feared, and he is expected to be available for next week’s Champions League clash with Napoli.
