Chelsea injury news has taken another negative twist, with midfielder Dario Essugo suffering a thigh problem while away with Portugal’s Under-21 squad. The £18.5m summer signing joins a mounting list of absentees that already includes Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Liam Delap and Benoît Badiashile.
Essugo had been pushing for more opportunities under Enzo Maresca after arriving from Sporting CP in June, and his setback comes at the worst possible moment. Chelsea face Brentford in a west London derby after the international break, and squad depth is wearing thin.
For a team already under pressure following a patchy start to the season, losing another midfielder raises big questions. Can Maresca manage this growing crisis and still keep Chelsea competitive?
Portugal FA Confirm Essugo Injury
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Essugo’s withdrawal from U21 training in a statement:
“The Chelsea midfielder was excused from training due to a muscle problem in his right thigh, which he suffered after training. The athlete was evaluated by the Portuguese Football Federation’s Health and Performance Department and was declared unavailable.” — Portugal FA statement
It remains unclear whether Essugo will be fit to feature against Brentford, but early signs suggest at least a short-term absence.
Why This Blow Hurts Maresca’s Plans
Essugo had been viewed as a long-term project, but Chelsea’s early-season injury crisis was expected to accelerate his involvement. Serving as understudy to Moises Caicedo, the 19-year-old was in line for more minutes in September as fixtures pile up across the Premier League and Europe.
Without him, Maresca may need to call upon academy graduates or reshuffle his midfield, with Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernández carrying heavy workloads already.
Chelsea Injury List (September 2025)
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Palmer | Hamstring | October |
| Levi Colwill | Knee | Long-term |
| Romeo Lavia | Ankle | Late September |
| Liam Delap | Foot | October |
| Benoît Badiashile | Groin | October |
| Dario Essugo | Thigh | TBC |
source: club and federation updates – 8 September 2025
This growing list shows the scale of Chelsea’s problems: six senior players sidelined at once, and no guarantees over return timelines.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes this latest blow exposes Chelsea’s lack of balance:
“Maresca’s system relies heavily on control in midfield. With Palmer, Lavia and now Essugo missing, Chelsea lose both depth and variety. Caicedo and Fernández will have to shoulder enormous responsibility. Unless reinforcements step up, this squad could be stretched thin in September’s run of fixtures.”
Key Insights
- Dario Essugo ruled out by Portugal U21s with a thigh injury.
- Chelsea already missing Palmer, Colwill, Lavia, Delap and Badiashile.
- Maresca’s midfield rotation hit hard by injuries.
- Essugo was in line for more Premier League minutes this month.
- Brentford clash will be a test of Chelsea’s squad depth.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will assess Essugo’s condition once he returns to Cobham. If the setback is short-term, he may be eased back into training next week. If more serious, talent like Andrey Santos could be thrust into action earlier than expected.
The Blues host Brentford this weekend before fixtures against Manchester United and Champions League opposition later in September. With a growing list of absentees, Maresca’s ability to adapt will define Chelsea’s early-season fortunes.
👉 Should Chelsea dip into youth options or gamble on rushing senior players back from injury?
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