How €23m signing can dodge Romeo Lavia’s horrible record in next 2 months
Dario Essugo was brought in to ease the pressures in Chelsea’s midfield caused by Romeo Lavia’s injury record. In fact the opposite happened.
Romeo Lavia signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2023, with a lot of people very excited about his arrival.
His first season was, in the end, a total dud. He arrived injury, played 32 minutes around Christmas, then disappeared with another injury and wasn’t seen again. Last season was only slightly better, and this year has been more of the same.
In response to the Belgian basically already looking like he will never be fit, let alone reliable, Chelsea added another defensive midfielder, Dario Essugo, last summer. The irony is, the Portugal international is on course to actually BEAT Lavia’s record. At least the former Man City man managed 32 minutes in his first year. Essugo, so far, has 0.
March return date means Essugo cutting it fine to beat Lavia
Liam Rosenior takes his first Chelsea training session, with Dario Essugo present.
According to our latest update, which came at the start of the month, Essugo will be out until March. It’s a race against time – can the midfielder get back fit, and then match fit, in time to pick up some sub appearances before the campaign is out? Lavia’s record is not one you want.
It’s been clear for a while that the €23m summer signing’s first season is a write off. That’s ok, it happens. What he can’t afford is to have all of his first three years being ruined by injury like Lavia.
In other news…
Konstantinos Karetsas looks a real talent, and we’re not surprised Chelsea are being linked with the 18 year old.
Estevao has settled in nicely at Chelsea, and he’s working hard off the pitch as well as on it to fit in and adapt as quickly as possible.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Amber Glenn Finds Redemption at 2026 Winter Olympics
Glenn skated to a score of 147.52, finishing conditionally first with 12 competitors left. Despite likely missing an individual medal, the performance allowed her to depart Milan with her head held high and self-esteem reclaimed.
Her teammates, the "Blade Angels," had hoped for a sweep, but Glenn’s redemption provided a powerful moment amidst the tournament.
Why last year wasn't a true reflection of Gunnar Henderson's massive ceiling
Expect much more from the young slugger in 2026.