**Dario Essugo says captaining Chelsea “means everything” after Xabi Alonso unexpectedly handed the midfielder the armband for Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.**
The 21-year-old led a much-changed Chelsea side out at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as Alonso rotated his entire starting XI less than 24 hours after beating AC Milan.
Essugo admitted he had not expected the responsibility but believes the decision sent an important message about the trust Chelsea’s new head coach places in his young squad.
“It was a surprise to be captain, but for me, it was a pleasure,” Essugo [told Chelsea’s official website](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/essugo-captaining-chelsea-means-everything).
“I didn’t expect to be captain at this age for this big club, so for me it’s just a pleasure, and I enjoyed it a lot. For me it means everything.”