Enzo Maresca sent exciting message by £44m Chelsea signing he is yet to use

Chelsea stars have been among the goals during the international break with another on target after Marc Cucurella and Estevao Willian scored for Spain and Brazil, respectively.

The latter's strike was rather historic as he became the youngest player to score for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier as they ran out 3-0 winners over Chile. Cucurella meanwhile, fired in from close-range during his nations win over Bulgaria by the same scoreline.

Both players have been particularly important to Enzo Maresca so far this season with injury issues elsewhere somewhat impacting them. Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile being absent, as two left-footed defenders, has seen him play a different role with summer signing Jorrel Hato set to be introduced gradually.

Estevao has been filling in for Cole Palmer with the Chelsea talisman absent for the last two games because of a groin injury. Liam Delap has since joined those in the treatment room after he pulled up early into the Premier League win over Fulham clutching his hamstring.

Given what has happened over the last few weeks, Maresca will be hoping to avoid further injury blows as his players compete in international matches.

For the most part, that has been avoided but not entirely with Dario Essugo missing the Portugal under-21s clash against Azerbaijan because of an injury to his right thigh, as confirmed in an official statement.

"The Chelsea midfielder was excused from training due to a muscle problem in his right thigh, which he suffered after training on Monday. The athlete was evaluated by the Portuguese Football Federation's Health and Performance Department on Tuesday morning and was declared unavailable," an update read.

The midfielder joined Chelsea this past summer but his arrival was agreed earlier in the year in a £62million double deal with Sporting CP.

Alongside Essugo, Chelsea have also signed exciting winger Geovany Quenda but the 18-year-old will be remaining in Portugal for this season in order to continue his development.

The teenager has not made one start for Sporting so far this season but he has provided two assists off the bench. Unlike Essugo, Quenda did turn out for Portugal on Friday evening and was one of five scorers.

After picking the ball up on the right-hand side of the box, Quenda cut inside and fired a powerful effort off the post and into the back of the net. Maresca has plenty of options out wide currently but Quenda would provide a new edge to his attack.

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