Chelsea signing will 'SHOCK' the Premier League as Romano reveals bargain

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Mar 2025 15:29 GMT
3 min read

New Chelsea signing Dario Essugo will 'surprise' people in the Premier League, according to Portuguese pundit Augusto Inacio.

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The Blues managed to secure not one but two signings from Sporting CP last week. After snapping up Man Utd target Geovany Quenda, Chelsea struck a deal to also bring in midfielder Dario Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas in LaLiga.

Unlike Quenda, who will only arrive in 2026, Essugo will join immediately this summer and will act as a backup to Moises Caicedo. The Stamford Bridge side are trying to get their busy done very early this year because they are gunning to win the Club World Cup.

Chelsea will pay Sporting €22 million for Essugo. According to Fabrizio Romano, this is a fixed fee. Chelsea thus managed to strike a deal without potential add-ons or conceding a sell-on percentage to Sporting. It is thought to be a similar story with Quenda, who will cost in the region of €45m-€51m.

According to those familiar with Essugo's game, this transfer could prove to be a real bargain for Chelsea.

Essugo will 'surprise' the Premier League

The 20-year-old Portugal youth international is highly rated in his home country. Essugo made north of 20 senior appearances for Sporting before heading out on loan to Spain.

CNN Portugal pundit Augusto Inacio believes that Essugo has the potential to shock some people in the Premier League next season. “Chelsea have now appeared and seem to have signed him for €22m,” he told Mais Futebol.

“I think it is a good deal for Sporting and also a very good deal for the boy. I think that his abilities can really be realised at Chelsea, not least because Chelsea have a new vision for the future of not signing big stars but youngsters who really have a lot of quality.

“Honestly, I predict that Essugo could be a big surprise in the Premier League.”