Chelsea have been dealt a major setback with the news that summer signing Dario Essugo has undergone surgery on a thigh injury and could be out of action until 2026.

The 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who joined the Blues from Sporting CP in June for £18.5 million, picked up the problem while on international duty with Portugal’s Under-21s.

After assessments by Chelsea’s medical team, it was confirmed that the injury was severe enough to require surgery.

The club confirmed that Essugo’s operation was successful, but the road to recovery will be a long one. While no official return date has been set, initial estimates suggest he will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks, potentially ruling him out until early next year.

Chelsea, however, fear that his rehabilitation could take much longer, with worst-case scenarios pointing towards a 2026 return.

Essugo had already made his mark in a short time, featuring three times for the Blues in the Club World Cup and impressing fans with his energy and composure in midfield. His injury comes just as he was starting to integrate into Enzo Maresca’s plans.

For a player seen as part of Chelsea’s long-term rebuild, this is a cruel blow—not only for Essugo personally, but also for a squad that is already struggling with injuries across key areas.