Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo returns to training | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo is back in training as the Blues prepare for this weekend’s clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were looking light in midfield following the injury to Romeo Lavia, while Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were playing with knocks.

Chelsea now have Cole Palmer and Essugo back, and their return will be a welcome boost for manager Enzo Maresca.

Maresca confirmed that Palmer, who has not played since mid-September, is available for the clash with the Gunners, and could start the game before touching on Essugo.

He said (via CFC’s website), “We are looking okay (after Barcelona). Essugo also took part of the session this morning, which is good news too.”

Essugo will likely not see minutes as he just returned from a lengthy lay-off, and Andrey Santos has also been stellar as the back-up to Caicedo and Fernandez.

However, Maresca might give the Portugal Under-21 ace a chance to get some game time when Chelsea take on Leeds in a historically fierce clash on Wednesday.

Chelsea will be cautious with Essugo’s minutes, especially with Santos thriving as the primary understudy in the double pivot, but his presence alone changes the mood.

It softens the blow of yet another frustrating setback for Lavia, whose stop–start Chelsea career has deprived the squad of a profile they badly need.

The promising former Sporting CP midfielder may not have Lavia’s ball progression, but he is a powerful tackler and a stern rearguard protector.

With the 20-year-old easing back into the fold, the club’s January transfer window plans could also shift.

There had been murmurs of Chelsea dipping back into the market for midfield reinforcements in January.

However, if Essugo builds fitness and sharpness over the next few weeks, Maresca may feel he has enough depth to navigate the rest of the season without additions.