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Dario Essugo has insisted he will be "back stronger" after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.
The Chelsea midfielder, who joined the club this summer in a £18.5million deal from Sporting CP, sustained the injury while in training for Portugal Under-21s during the current international break. It has since been confirmed that the 20-year-old has undergone surgery which will see him sidelined "for a while".
In a statement released on Tuesday, Chelsea said: "Midfielder Dario Essugo has undergone successful surgery today on his thigh. The 20-year-old sustained the injury whilst on international duty for Portugal's Under-21s.
"Medical assessments confirmed surgery would be the required course of action and Dario will now begin his recovery at Cobham, supported by the club's medical department."
Essugo took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to share a picture of himself in hospital, although the midfielder was smiling in the snap and had his thumb up. He wrote on Instagram: "Unfortunately, during this international break with the National Team I felt something in my thigh that required surgery and will keep me out for a while.
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"It's frustrating to start the season like this, especially after already facing another setback not long ago. But I truly believe everything happens for a reason. God has a bigger plan. I'll be back stronger."
Essugo has yet to play a single minute for his new club this season, although he has been named in the matchday squad for all three of Chelsea's Premier League matches so far. The young Portuguese midfielder was signed after he had impressed Blues scouts and they saw attributes of his game that were very similar to Moises Caicedo, football.london understands.
So far, though, we have not seen too much of Essugo. He got about six minutes against Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup opener and then over half an hour against Esperance in the final group match. The Portuguese then came on very late into the win against Palmeiras in Philadelphia.
Cameo appearances in the two pre-season victories over AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen followed but now the midfielder faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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