Chelsea Dealt Fresh Blow As Midfielder Suffers Injury

Chelsea have been hit with yet another injury setback, with midfielder Dario Essugo suffering a fresh fitness concern.

The 20-year-old, signed from Sporting for £18.5million this summer, felt a thigh problem while on international duty.

A statement from the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the youngster had sustained a “muscle problem in his right thigh.”

Essugo has been excused from training with Portugal’s Under-21s and is undergoing further medical assessment, reports The Standard.

The Blues are already coping with a growing injury list that has badly disrupted Enzo Maresca’s early-season plans.

Chelsea’s Injury Crisis Deepens

Levi Colwill has been ruled out for most of the campaign after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer is sidelined with a groin issue, while Liam Delap and Romeo Lavia are also unavailable.

Benoit Badiashile is recovering too, leaving Chelsea’s depth stretched thin in key areas of the pitch.

Essugo, considered understudy to Moises Caicedo, is now a major doubt for the weekend clash with Brentford.

The midfielder has yet to make a Premier League appearance since joining, featuring only at the Club World Cup.

His cameos against LAFC, ES Tunis and Palmeiras were his only outings in Chelsea colours so far.

Maresca has named Essugo on the bench in all three league games this season but has not used him.

With fixtures coming thick and fast, Chelsea will be desperate for better news on the fitness front.