Over the last seven games, Chelsea have won six. That is a positive, no matter what you think about Enzo Maresca's side. That being said, the performances have left a lot to be desired and the problems still exist, whether it be with their shakiness at the back or lack of finishing up top. Hopefully, the Blues will improve in those aspects over the coming weeks and months.
One of the fastest way to do that would be the return of players from injury. Several are out at the moment, while plenty are believed to be playing through niggling issues.
Of course, fans are awaiting the return of players like Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill. Dario Essugo is someone who is also out injured though.
Maresca has provided an update on when Essugo could be available. He had to undergo surgery after picking up an injury while away on international duty. And it looks like it will still take a while for him to make his return. As reported by football.london, the manager said:
"He's still out for a while, probably we need to wait but maybe December or January."
'Maybe December or January' - Enzo Maresca on Chelsea injury return
Essugo had looked immensely impressive during pre-season. The stylistic similarities between him and Moises Caicedo were almost scary. In fact, if you were not paying attention, it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two on first glance.
Unfortunately, he ended up getting injured before he could even make his competitive debut for Chelsea. Let's hope that he comes back stronger.
Caicedo is one of the best midfielders in the world right now. He plays a lot of football though and the club have to be careful about his load management. He is one of the players believed to be playing through a niggling problem.
So, if they had someone as stylistically similar as Essugo, he could have taken some of the load from Caicedo. Hopefully, we will see that later in the second half of the season, when the Portuguese youth international is back available.