(Image): Stats show £18.6m midfielder could be budget Baleba for Chelsea
It was confirmed last night by Sporting CP themselves that Chelsea had completed a transfer deal not just for winger Geovany Quenda but also for midfielder Dario Essugo.
We’ve already heard a little about Quenda here, with Portuguese journalist Mariana Fernandes weighing in. Now it’s £18.6m Essugo’s turn to be looked at a little closer.
While Quenda is a winger playing for one of the strongest teams in Portugal, Essugo is a defensive midfielder on loan at a team battling relegation in La Liga. So their profiles couldn’t be more different in terms of comparison. Quenda has about as much freedom as any 17 year old in the European game, Essugo has a lot more responsibility and is facing a much tougher task.
We really liked this chart made by @FootballEcon_ on Twitter which compared the 20 year old to some of Europe’s notable midfielders, with a particular highlight on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Comparing Essugo to Europe’s best
The reporting on the Essugo deal from those in the know like Ben Jacobs has made it clear that he’s going to be seen as a backup for Moises Caicedo as our deep lying, energetic breaker-up of play.
What’s interesting is the comparison to Baleba, who Brighton bought to replace Caicedo when he moved to Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman looks like one of the brightest midfield talents in the world in his age group right now – but Essugo is very similar, at least in style.
Both of them are near each other on this chart, strong in anchoring and ball winning, with decent carrying and less emphasis on chance creation and controlling possession.
Given that Baleba is being priced at near the £100m mark we paid for Caicedo, if Essugo turns out to be even nearly as good we’ve snapped up a great bargain.
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Chelsea complete double signing of Sporting Lisbon’s Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo
Sporting Lisbon have confirmed their midfield pair of Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo will leave for a combined £62.4mYahoo Sports - 21h -
Chelsea Agree €22m Deal for Sporting CP Midfielder
Chelsea Secure Dario Essugo Transfer: What It Means for the BluesRising Talent Joins Chelsea’s Midfield RevolutionChelsea have finalised the signing of Dario Essugo, with the Portuguese midfielder ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Chelsea are working on a deal to sign another Sporting CP youngster
Chelsea are reportedly working on a deal to sign Sporting CP midfielder Dario Essugo, just a day after announcing the signing of Geovany Quenda.According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Chelsea complete £62m Quenda and Essugo double signing
Chelsea complete the double signing of Sporting midfielders Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo for a combined fee of around £62.4m.BBC News - 1d -
Chelsea complete £62.5m double deal for Quenda and Essugo from Sporting
Quenda, 17, will stay at Sporting next season Holding midfielder Essugo could play in Club World Cup Chelsea have completed the double signing of Geovany Quenda and Dário Essugo from Sporting, ...The Guardian - 1d -
Chelsea agree to sign Manchester United target Geovany Quenda from Sporting
Deal for 17-year-old winger worth about £42m Chelsea also want Dario Essugo from Sporting Chelsea have flown under the radar to agree a shock deal worth about €50m (£42.1m) for the Sporting ...The Guardian - 6d -
“Discussion is ongoing” – Fabrizio Romano provides update as Chelsea close in on another signing
Chelsea remain very interested in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Dario Essugo according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.The Blues completed a shock move for 17-year-old Sporting winger Geovany ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Transfer rumors, news: Chelsea beat Man United to Quenda deal
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Report: Chelsea reach €22m agreement as they close in on shock double transfer swoop
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Dario Essugo according to reports in Portugal.The Blues announced the shock signing of Geovany Quenda on Friday and it’s ...Yahoo Sports - 5d
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