Dario Essugo breaks silence on Chelsea exit after Strasbourg debut start

Chelsea loanee Dario Essugo has insisted his priority at Strasbourg is helping the French club succeed rather than proving himself to his parent club after scoring his first goal for the Ligue 1 side. The 21-year-old Portugal youth international made his first start for Strasbourg since joining on loan from Chelsea over the summer, opening the scoring in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Nice at the Allianz Riviera.

Essugo struck from the edge of the penalty area, with his effort clipping the inside of the post before beating goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf. However, Jonathan Clauss scored a late winner as Nice completed the comeback. Speaking to Get French Football News after the match, Essugo said: “I want to play but not to show [anything] to someone else. I just want to focus on myself and help Strasbourg to improve and win games,”

The midfielder also explained that Strasbourg coach Hugo Oliveira wants him to operate as a No. 8, giving him greater opportunities to attack the penalty area while contributing defensively. Essugo added: “He wants me to be myself. He wants me to play as more of a No. 8, and that’s good for me because I can get in the box more. It’s a new thing for me, but I can drive the ball more and help the team in defence.”