Chelsea Midfielder Suffers International Duty Injury Blow, Ruled Out of Action

Chelsea face yet another injury setback as the 2025–26 campaign begins, with midfielder Dário Essugo picking up an injury during international duty in the September international window.

Manager Enzo Maresca is already dealing with Levi Colwill's ACL injury and has been managing without star player Cole Palmer for their last two Premier League matches due to a groin problem.

Thankfully, the recruitment team at BlueCo remained active during the summer transfer window, bringing in 10 new signings to help manage the increased fixture load following last season's Champions League qualification.

One of these acquisitions was 20-year-old Essugo, who arrived from Sporting CP in a £18.5 million ($23.9 million) deal in June. Essugo adds to an already crowded midfield roster, and the young Portuguese player isn't anticipated to feature prominently for the Blues in his debut season in west London. The midfielder accumulated 38 minutes across three matches during Chelsea's victorious Club World Cup run, though he has yet to make his Premier League debut.

During September, Essugo received a call-up to Portugal's U21 national team, but has now been forced to pull out due to injury.

"The Chelsea midfielder missed training due to a muscular issue in his right thigh, sustained following Monday's training session," the Portuguese Football Federation announced. "The player underwent assessment by the Portuguese Football Federation's Medical and Performance Unit on Tuesday morning and was ruled out of action."

Essugo's main function this season is to serve as backup for Moisés Caicedo, whose own international duties have been affected by fitness worries.

The Ecuadorian midfielder missed his country's opening match and was seen training with knee protection, though it's believed this absence was more of a precautionary measure rather than due to a serious injury.

Reports from Ecuador indicate that the decision has already been taken to reinstate Caicedo in the starting eleven against Argentina, considered the more crucial match compared to the recent goalless stalemate with Paraguay.