Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg.
The Blues are currently enjoying an encouraging campaign under Enzo Maresca, sitting in second position in the Premier League table after 17 matches.
Progression under the Italian has been aided by drastically reducing the club's squad numbers, something that was helped by allowing several players join Strasbourg on a permanent or temporary basis.
Djordje Petrovic, Caleb Wiley, Diego Moreira and Andrey Santos all made moves to Le Racing, who are effectively the sister club of Chelsea through being owned by BlueCo.
All but Moreira - who signed permanently - will return to Stamford Bridge in the summer, yet it appears that thought is already being given to who could move to the Ligue 1 outfit for 2025-26.
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Essugo on Strasbourg radar
According to Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Dario Essugo is on Chelsea's radar for 2025.
The 19-year-old is currently spending the season on loan at Las Palmas where he is helping the relegation candidates move up the La Liga table.
A total of 12 starts have been made in La Liga, the most recent coming on Sunday as Las Palmas defeated Espanyol progress into 13th place.
As it stands, it is plausible that he will be reintegrated into a new-look Sporting squad for 2025-26 and given the opportunity to stake his claim for a starting role.
Essugo, a Portugal Under-21 international, has already made 25 appearances for Sporting in all competitions having come through the academy setup.
However, just over two-and-a-half years remain on his contract, something that will need to come under consideration if offers arrive for his signature.
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Ramifications for Santos?
According to the same report, Essugo would essentially act as a straight alternative for Santos in the Strasbourg engine room.
Although Strasbourg sit just four points clear of the Ligue 1 relegation zone, Santos has been one of the star midfielders in the division with six goals from 14 starts.
Chelsea currently plan to have the 20-year-old in their first-team squad for 2025-26, providing that he remains on the same trajectory.
Darren Plant
