Chelsea Suffers Double Injury Blow Missing Key Players 12 Matches

Chelsea have been hit by significant injury setbacks with striker Liam Delap sidelined for around 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury and midfielder Dario Essugo undergoing thigh surgery after sustaining an injury on international duty. Delap, who transferred from Ipswich Town, is expected to miss key Premier League and Champions League matches, forcing Chelsea to recall Marc Guiu and rely on Joao Pedro to lead the attack in his absence. Essugo, signed from Sporting Lisbon, had not yet made his Premier League debut but was seen as a potential alternative in midfield; his surgery means a prolonged recovery period, adding to Chelsea's injury woes alongside other sidelined players like Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, and Romeo Lavia. Manager Enzo Maresca has expressed uncertainty about the impact of the long Club World Cup summer on the squad's injury problems. Chelsea's medical team will now focus on supporting Essugo's rehabilitation at their training facility, while the club awaits clearer timelines for the return of other injured players. These developments present a challenge for Chelsea as they aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.