Chelsea: New signing Dario Essugo points to Manchester United pair as career inspirations after Blues debut | OneFootball

The Portuguese learned from the best in Sporting CP’s academy

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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New Chelsea signing Dario Essugo has thanked Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim for his influence in his early career.

"He brought me to the first team so he helped me a lot, to understand the game, to reach the level I am here now. I am grateful.

“He is so demanding. He is a demanding person. He likes to win every time.

He continued, also pointing to Man United midfielder Manuel Ugarte as an early-career mentor. The Argentine played for Sporting between 2021 and 2023, joining Paris Saint-Germain before signing with United last summer.

Essugo continued: “Manuel Ugarte, João Palhinha and Morten Hjulmand were three big players I had the opportunity to learn from. Palhinha is so strong defensively, and then Ugarte can play good too, so I learned."

He is settling in well at Chelsea, too, despite only joining up in June, saying: “The environment and my team-mates help me a lot. The coach, everything here is very good.”

In his career, Essugo will look to match the fortunes of his fellow Sporting academy alumni, a list which includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, and Rafael Leao.

“I also like to see Makelele, Essien and Kante, to follow their steps.”

Essugo could stand to make his full Chelsea debut on Wednesday as the Blues face ES Tunis in their final Club World Cup group stage tie.