Dario Essugo named Chelsea captain in pre-season friendly

Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo expressed his surprise and pride after being named captain by head coach Xabi Alonso during a pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. The match, held at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, ended in a 3-3 draw.

Essugo, the 21-year-old Portugal Under-21 international, led a rotated squad as Alonso opted to change the entire starting XI following a victory over AC Milan. Essugo noted that being handed the armband was unexpected but viewed it as a sign of trust. He suggested that the decision emphasizes maturity and leadership rather than age, stating, “It’s a message for me and for all the players that it’s not about the age, but maybe it’s about maturity.”

The midfielder, who joined Chelsea from Sporting last year, is looking to secure more first-team opportunities following a season with limited appearances. Chelsea's pre-season tour concludes with a match against Real Sociedad before they begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham on August 24.