Of late, Chelsea have been engaged in the transfer market, but their latest target is drawing eyebrows. Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim reveals Blues are closing in on a deal for a player who made his pro debut at 16. Essugo is now 19 but has enjoyed plenty of record-breaking moments, which have been interspersed with slow development. But at Chelsea, does he really have a real chance at Stamford Bridge?
The Rise of Dario Essugo: A Record-Breaking Start
Essugo had not even played for Sporting Lisbon’s U23 or reserve team when Amorim gave him his debut in 2020. He was thrown in the deep end of the ‘sink or swim’ feeling in a true ‘throw him in the deep end’ moment in becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant and later becoming the youngest Portuguese player to feature in the Champions League.
He even eclipsed a record held by none other than Luis Figo as Sporting’s youngest starter. And not bad for a teenager who was probably still struggling to parallel park.
A Bumpy Road: Loan Spells and Career Growth
However, the historic exploits of Essugo failed to secure his first team regularity. He moved to Chaves in January 2024 in order to find more game time before joining Las Palmas on loan. Chaves got relegated as Essugo made best use of this time, gaining shiny experience and showing his potential.
As he now does in Spain, with Chelsea now keen to sign someone they wanted earlier in the window, he is on Chelsea’s radar. But if the legionnaire Essugo is willing to join such a throng of big money stars in the midfield, it will be difficult to convince him.
Chelsea’s Transfer Strategy: What’s the Plan?
Overall, it was quiet window for Chelsea, though they did sign brilliant teenage midfielder Mathis Amougou. In the meantime, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka all packed their bags.
Yet Enzo Maresca doesn’t seem bothered. ‘We made all of the things we needed,’ he said. There is now the summer, and Chelsea are putting the focus on the future with young players in mind.
Essugo and Chelsea: A Match Made in Football Heaven?
Here’s where things get tricky. Chelsea’s midfield is already a mix of elite class. It will be competing against such players as Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and Romeo Lavia. He is talented, sure, but he needs the minutes to develop.
At that price, if Chelsea indeed believe in Essugo’s potential, they will have to persuade him (and the fans). He won’t be a young talent set out on tireless loan spells. Otherwise, he will just be another history of an ‘Chelsea talent wasted’ (a club with more members than a blockbuster movie premiere).
The Amorim Factor: A Curious Connection
A good subplot here is the Ruben Amorim thing. Despite not signing already in Manchester United’s raiding of Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to switch his attention to the goal machine at Sporting Viktor Gyokeres.
Despite Amorim and Essugo not being on the cards to head to Old Trafford, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea’s latest attraction can match the billing given him by his former boss.
My Take on Essugo’s Move
There may be something slightly ironic about Chelsea’s chase of Essugo, but as a football fan, I find it very intriguing. They had a history of hoarding young talent and then endlessly loaning them out. If Essugo came in, he could become another cog in the loan army machine or be allowed to grow if he comes.
However, if he makes it through, that could turn into a masterstroke. Physical, vision and composure are exactly what Chelsea could do with for the future, but could Essugo be the answer? But we know what really happens. If he isn’t given a proper crack, he’ll be a ‘potential’ at the midtable La Liga side 5 years from now.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
