CHELSEA’S summer signing Dario Essugo could be sidelined until 2026 after suffering a devastating injury on international duty.The £18.5million midfielder has gone under the knife after tearing a thigh muscle in a huge blow for the Blues, who had big plans for the 20-year-old this season.GettyEssugo impressed in the three games he played for the club and his injury is a massive blow[/caption]ReutersHe suffered the injury while on international duty with Portugal under-21 team[/caption]Instagram @darioessugo6He posted an update from his hospital bed[/caption]Essugo has only made three appearances for Chelsea so far, all coming at the FIFA Club World Cup, after joining from Sporting CP in June. But he now faces at least 12 weeks on the treatment table and insiders fear he may not feature again until next year.The injury struck while he was with Portugal‘s under-21 team and after scans by medics, surgery was quickly arranged.It’s a brutal setback for a player brought in to ease the midfield burden on Moises Caicedo.Essugo posted after his operation: “Unfortunately, during this international break with the national team I felt something in my thigh that will keep me out for a while.“It’s frustrating to start the season like this, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I’ll be back stronger.”The blow adds to Chelsea’s growing injury list.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLevi Colwill is also set to miss the bulk of the campaign with a serious ACL injury picked up in pre-season. And striker Liam Delap won’t be seen until at least November after pulling a hamstring against Fulham.Meanwhile, teenage striker Deivid Washington has returned from a quiet loan spell at Santos where he scored just once in 17 appearances. He’s now gearing up to represent Brazil at the Under-20 World Cup next month.Despite open transfer windows in countries such as Turkey and Greece, Chelsea have no plans to send Washington back out on loan for now.