The fate of one Chelsea player could be heavily impacted by what happens with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer.
Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 26, is an intriguing talking point at Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.
Even though he was behind Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer in the Blues pecking order last season, he still played a useful role in Enzo Maresca‘s squad. The box-to-box central midfielder scored five goals in 36 appearances across all competitions in his first year at Chelsea. Would he be content spending another campaign as a squad option, though?
Apparently, Chelsea would listen to offers for Dewsbury-Hall, but they haven’t directly transfer-listed him. In addition, Chelsea are demanding £30m for Dewsbury-Hall, which is what they paid to sign him from Leicester City a year ago.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesDario Essugo to get Chelsea chance if Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leaves
The depth in Chelsea’s central midfield looks incredibly strong going into the new season, especially now that Andrey Santos has returned from a successful loan at Strasbourg. On top of that, the Blues completed the signing this summer of Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon for £18m (BBC).
Journalist Simon Phillips reports via Substack that Essugo could leave Chelsea on loan this summer, but that would only happen if Dewsbury-Hall stays at the club.
He adds that it is ‘unlikely’ that both players stay in the Blues squad for the 2025/26 campaign.
Maresca claims he has a “good feeling” about Essugo, but it sounds like there won’t be room for him and Dewsbury-Hall in the same group.
Essugo, who’s a combative defensive midfielder, looks like the perfect understudy to Caicedo next season. We would argue that the introduction of Santos should put Dewsbury-Hall’s spot most at risk.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesChelsea must keep Dario Essugo
It’s alarming to hear reports that Essugo could be loaned out if Dewsbury-Hall stays, but we’re optimistic that the former will stay put at Chelsea beyond the summer window.
Essugo, 20, impressed in the Spanish top division last season during a loan with Las Palmas. Back in May, Chelsea supporters loved what they saw from Essugo in a La Liga match, where he impressed as a midfield destroyer.
The Blues completed a double deal to sign Essugo and Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon this summer, but the latter doesn’t arrive until 2026 because he’s spending another year in the Portuguese league.
We’re confident that there can be a role for Essugo in Maresca’s squad in this new season.