CFC Central
@cfccentral.bsky.social
PFSA Talent ID Level 2 | Scout, Opp. Analyst & Writer at LIBP | Ex Star Sports/ESPN India |
There are comparisons to Michael Essien – the Bison-like rampaging runs, thundering long shots & more. Essugo is some way away but certainly has the potential. A more fitting comp for him would probably be Carlos Baleba – who carries better & is offering more in the other box.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
There are comparisons to Michael Essien – the Bison-like rampaging runs, thundering long shots & more. Essugo is some way away but certainly has the potential. A more fitting comp for him would probably be Carlos Baleba – who carries better & is offering more in the other box.
[Fit at Chelsea]
As opposed to Las Palmas, Essugo will be asked a lot more in and out of possession. Maresca likes his CMs to man-mark across the pitch, but also contribute to the 1st phase, something that is a weakness for Essugo. It will be important to pair him with a more
As opposed to Las Palmas, Essugo will be asked a lot more in and out of possession. Maresca likes his CMs to man-mark across the pitch, but also contribute to the 1st phase, something that is a weakness for Essugo. It will be important to pair him with a more
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Fit at Chelsea]
As opposed to Las Palmas, Essugo will be asked a lot more in and out of possession. Maresca likes his CMs to man-mark across the pitch, but also contribute to the 1st phase, something that is a weakness for Essugo. It will be important to pair him with a more
As opposed to Las Palmas, Essugo will be asked a lot more in and out of possession. Maresca likes his CMs to man-mark across the pitch, but also contribute to the 1st phase, something that is a weakness for Essugo. It will be important to pair him with a more
At 20, Essugo offers a low-risk/high reward ball-winning depth to Caicedo. He's also the first pure DM in the squad, which could allow Maresca to experiment with a 4-3-3 he tried at Leicester. There's also the option to move Caicedo to 8/10 (something Maresca tried with Ndidi.)
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
At 20, Essugo offers a low-risk/high reward ball-winning depth to Caicedo. He's also the first pure DM in the squad, which could allow Maresca to experiment with a 4-3-3 he tried at Leicester. There's also the option to move Caicedo to 8/10 (something Maresca tried with Ndidi.)
So why Essugo? Last season, Moisés Caicedo became the first CFC player since Cesar Azpilicueta to feature in every CFC league game in a season. His 42 starts were also the highest in 24/25. There was a need to sign depth that could at least compete with the Ecuadorian machine.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
So why Essugo? Last season, Moisés Caicedo became the first CFC player since Cesar Azpilicueta to feature in every CFC league game in a season. His 42 starts were also the highest in 24/25. There was a need to sign depth that could at least compete with the Ecuadorian machine.
[Discipline 🟥] 3-game ban for applauding referee. Aggression in challenges can boil over; can be rash when taking on quick threats centrally. Low quantity fouls, but dangerous ones. 11 yellows and 2 reds last season. Will face sterner tests in PL
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Discipline 🟥] 3-game ban for applauding referee. Aggression in challenges can boil over; can be rash when taking on quick threats centrally. Low quantity fouls, but dangerous ones. 11 yellows and 2 reds last season. Will face sterner tests in PL
[Concentration 🟧] Prone to making errors, esp. in 1st phase. Can be casual/lackadaisical on ball. No CFC outfielder committed more errors leading to shots than his 7. Bottom 1% for errors leading to shots in T5 leagues. Must iron out, quickly.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Concentration 🟧] Prone to making errors, esp. in 1st phase. Can be casual/lackadaisical on ball. No CFC outfielder committed more errors leading to shots than his 7. Bottom 1% for errors leading to shots in T5 leagues. Must iron out, quickly.
[Prog./Long Passing 🟧] Safe passer with little propensity for risk-taking. Mostly goes backwards/sideways with some short line breaking passes. Weak foot not bad. Long passes/switches decent but tend to be loopy rather than flat.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Prog./Long Passing 🟧] Safe passer with little propensity for risk-taking. Mostly goes backwards/sideways with some short line breaking passes. Weak foot not bad. Long passes/switches decent but tend to be loopy rather than flat.
[Take Ons 🟨] Powerful short carries. Strength helps him absorb & bulldoze through even significant contact. However, usually keeps head down when carrying, making him prone to losing possession over medium/long distances or dribbling into cul-de-sacs.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Take Ons 🟨] Powerful short carries. Strength helps him absorb & bulldoze through even significant contact. However, usually keeps head down when carrying, making him prone to losing possession over medium/long distances or dribbling into cul-de-sacs.
[Aerials 🟨] Good leap, powerful clearing headers, which make him important on defensive set-pieces (near post.) Control on headers inconsistent and needs work. Hasn't proved key in att. set-pieces but has the ingredients to do so.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Aerials 🟨] Good leap, powerful clearing headers, which make him important on defensive set-pieces (near post.) Control on headers inconsistent and needs work. Hasn't proved key in att. set-pieces but has the ingredients to do so.
[Defending Wide 🟨] Deals with quicker wide threats consistently well. Strides when jockeying can take his feet a bit too wide, but athleticism/physical gifts help him keep pace & use byline to shield ball away once he gets his body in the way.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Defending Wide 🟨] Deals with quicker wide threats consistently well. Strides when jockeying can take his feet a bit too wide, but athleticism/physical gifts help him keep pace & use byline to shield ball away once he gets his body in the way.
[Tech under Pressure 2 🟧] Not attuned to being a progressive/creative outlet. Hasty when making forward passes; weight/timing of passes a big issue. Reluctant to turn into space with ball, making him limited/vulnerable in first phase.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Tech under Pressure 2 🟧] Not attuned to being a progressive/creative outlet. Hasty when making forward passes; weight/timing of passes a big issue. Reluctant to turn into space with ball, making him limited/vulnerable in first phase.
[Tech under pressure 1 🟨] Good first touches with both feet under pressure for a big man. Strength helps him buy time when under duress. Safe, low-risk passer who usually goes side/back.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Tech under pressure 1 🟨] Good first touches with both feet under pressure for a big man. Strength helps him buy time when under duress. Safe, low-risk passer who usually goes side/back.
[Long-range shooting 🟩] Howitzer for a right foot & has only scored from outside the box in senior career. Could prove an important weapon in settled possession vs low blocks, a la Rodri for City.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Long-range shooting 🟩] Howitzer for a right foot & has only scored from outside the box in senior career. Could prove an important weapon in settled possession vs low blocks, a la Rodri for City.
[Tracking 🟩] Diligent. Scans often to orient himself to dangerous runs, positions himself well to be able to react quickly. Also shows good industry + application over med./long distances to stay with runners.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Tracking 🟩] Diligent. Scans often to orient himself to dangerous runs, positions himself well to be able to react quickly. Also shows good industry + application over med./long distances to stay with runners.
[Interceptions 🟩] Intelligent, aware and well positioned to capitalize on opportunities to nip in. Speed/agility complements game-reading, allowing him to nip in very quickly and decisively. 98th percentile for interceptions last season in T5 leagues.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Interceptions 🟩] Intelligent, aware and well positioned to capitalize on opportunities to nip in. Speed/agility complements game-reading, allowing him to nip in very quickly and decisively. 98th percentile for interceptions last season in T5 leagues.
[Ball-winning 🟩] Comfortable tackling with both feet. Very athletic; stretches/sliding tackles are accurate & offer better range for def. actions. Strong recovery pace key in def. transition. 96th percentile for tackles won; 60.9% of dribblers tackled
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Ball-winning 🟩] Comfortable tackling with both feet. Very athletic; stretches/sliding tackles are accurate & offer better range for def. actions. Strong recovery pace key in def. transition. 96th percentile for tackles won; 60.9% of dribblers tackled
[Physical: Str. + Speed 🟩] Essugo's standout + is he is an athletic freak. Muscular, durable but also surprisingly quick. Most DMs are either hard to bully OR tough to beat in a foot-race – Essugo is a rare mix of both.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Physical: Str. + Speed 🟩] Essugo's standout + is he is an athletic freak. Muscular, durable but also surprisingly quick. Most DMs are either hard to bully OR tough to beat in a foot-race – Essugo is a rare mix of both.
[Positioning]
Essugo often uses his marker (opp DM/8) as a reference for positioning. Las Palmas ask him to mark closely if his man drops to his own box, but in the mid/att 3rd to hold a half-and-half position to be able to engage or recover loose balls.
Essugo often uses his marker (opp DM/8) as a reference for positioning. Las Palmas ask him to mark closely if his man drops to his own box, but in the mid/att 3rd to hold a half-and-half position to be able to engage or recover loose balls.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Positioning]
Essugo often uses his marker (opp DM/8) as a reference for positioning. Las Palmas ask him to mark closely if his man drops to his own box, but in the mid/att 3rd to hold a half-and-half position to be able to engage or recover loose balls.
Essugo often uses his marker (opp DM/8) as a reference for positioning. Las Palmas ask him to mark closely if his man drops to his own box, but in the mid/att 3rd to hold a half-and-half position to be able to engage or recover loose balls.
[Screening]
The occupational hazards of this are being caught in two minds, or being 2v1'ed in dangerous areas. What he can correct though, is the hesitancy between actions, or being side-on/static, making him easy to play around.
The occupational hazards of this are being caught in two minds, or being 2v1'ed in dangerous areas. What he can correct though, is the hesitancy between actions, or being side-on/static, making him easy to play around.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Screening]
The occupational hazards of this are being caught in two minds, or being 2v1'ed in dangerous areas. What he can correct though, is the hesitancy between actions, or being side-on/static, making him easy to play around.
The occupational hazards of this are being caught in two minds, or being 2v1'ed in dangerous areas. What he can correct though, is the hesitancy between actions, or being side-on/static, making him easy to play around.
[Screening]
This made Essugo's primary role a destroyer – seeking unmarked/free threats & engaging them directly or delaying them. It is a role that requires tactical intelligence & excellent conditioning. When to get close, when to delay, how to pressure.
This made Essugo's primary role a destroyer – seeking unmarked/free threats & engaging them directly or delaying them. It is a role that requires tactical intelligence & excellent conditioning. When to get close, when to delay, how to pressure.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Screening]
This made Essugo's primary role a destroyer – seeking unmarked/free threats & engaging them directly or delaying them. It is a role that requires tactical intelligence & excellent conditioning. When to get close, when to delay, how to pressure.
This made Essugo's primary role a destroyer – seeking unmarked/free threats & engaging them directly or delaying them. It is a role that requires tactical intelligence & excellent conditioning. When to get close, when to delay, how to pressure.
[Tactical: Las Palmas]
OOP at Las Palmas, Essugo was used as a more conservative pivot next to Bajcetic, often screening the back 4. The narrow 4-4-2 adjusted to cover near-side CMs, allowing Essugo to go zonal & guard space in central zones.
OOP at Las Palmas, Essugo was used as a more conservative pivot next to Bajcetic, often screening the back 4. The narrow 4-4-2 adjusted to cover near-side CMs, allowing Essugo to go zonal & guard space in central zones.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
[Tactical: Las Palmas]
OOP at Las Palmas, Essugo was used as a more conservative pivot next to Bajcetic, often screening the back 4. The narrow 4-4-2 adjusted to cover near-side CMs, allowing Essugo to go zonal & guard space in central zones.
OOP at Las Palmas, Essugo was used as a more conservative pivot next to Bajcetic, often screening the back 4. The narrow 4-4-2 adjusted to cover near-side CMs, allowing Essugo to go zonal & guard space in central zones.
He spent 24/25 at Las Palmas, playing either as a DM in a 3-man midfield or in a double pivot. Despite progressing immensely, Las Palmas fared poorly, ensuring Essugo faced relegation in back-to-back seasons. Amid high interest, CFC secured him for £18.5m.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
He spent 24/25 at Las Palmas, playing either as a DM in a 3-man midfield or in a double pivot. Despite progressing immensely, Las Palmas fared poorly, ensuring Essugo faced relegation in back-to-back seasons. Amid high interest, CFC secured him for £18.5m.
Of Angolan descent, Essugo became the youngest debutant in Sporting's history a week after his 16th birthday, jumping from U16s straight to the first team. A host of strong CMs – Palhinha, Ugarte, Morita – meant chances were limited. He was loaned to Chaves in January 2024.
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Of Angolan descent, Essugo became the youngest debutant in Sporting's history a week after his 16th birthday, jumping from U16s straight to the first team. A host of strong CMs – Palhinha, Ugarte, Morita – meant chances were limited. He was loaned to Chaves in January 2024.
🚨 Dario Essugo Scouting Report [DM/CM | Sporting CP -> Chelsea] 🚨
- Essien-regen or ill-tempered wrecking ball?
- Analyzing individual strengths
- Projected ceiling & areas to improve
- Tactical fit at Las Palmas & CFC
As always, feedback & comments are warmly welcome!
- Essien-regen or ill-tempered wrecking ball?
- Analyzing individual strengths
- Projected ceiling & areas to improve
- Tactical fit at Las Palmas & CFC
As always, feedback & comments are warmly welcome!
June 10, 2025 at 6:05 AM
🚨 Dario Essugo Scouting Report [DM/CM | Sporting CP -> Chelsea] 🚨
- Essien-regen or ill-tempered wrecking ball?
- Analyzing individual strengths
- Projected ceiling & areas to improve
- Tactical fit at Las Palmas & CFC
As always, feedback & comments are warmly welcome!
- Essien-regen or ill-tempered wrecking ball?
- Analyzing individual strengths
- Projected ceiling & areas to improve
- Tactical fit at Las Palmas & CFC
As always, feedback & comments are warmly welcome!
There are, interestingly, parallels between Delap & Viktor Gyökeres. Gyökeres is half an inch taller, weighs similar, excels as a transition forward with superb back-to-goal/link up play & a rapier-like shot. The unknowns are similar too - low blocks for example.
June 4, 2025 at 7:10 PM
There are, interestingly, parallels between Delap & Viktor Gyökeres. Gyökeres is half an inch taller, weighs similar, excels as a transition forward with superb back-to-goal/link up play & a rapier-like shot. The unknowns are similar too - low blocks for example.