Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca watched his much-changed side win away at Astana on Thursday night in Europe.
Chelsea made the 3,600-mile trip to Kazakhstan and beat Astana 3-1 in the group stages of the Conference League.
Pedro Neto was the only survivor in the starting line-up from the weekend’s league victory over Tottenham, so it was a great opportunity for some fringe players to impress. Also, plenty of youngsters from the Blues academy got some valuable senior minutes in freezing conditions.
Marc Guiu scored twice for the visitors, plus Renato Veiga powered in a header from a corner to earn another three points in Europe.
Next, the Blues return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Brentford. Joe Cole has heard Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku may be injured, though.
Marc Guiu of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Tosin Adarabioyo during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phas...
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca impressed by Marc Guiu
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca delivered glowing praise on Marc Guiu after his two-goal performance versus Astana.
The 18-year-old centre-forward scored a couple of goals in midweek, including a fantastic solo effort after weaving his way into the penalty area.
Maresca said via Chelsea’s official website: “Marc is doing well. Since we started he is working hard. We have Nicolas Jackson and Christo Nkunku who are doing well, but when he had the chance today Marc played in the right way.”
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Jason Cundy loved Guiu’s first Chelsea goal at Astana, particularly because of the way he dribbled from deep into the box. Likewise, Joe Cole said Chelsea’s Guiu scored an “exquisite” goal in the Conference League tie.
Chelsea squad is so deep
It’s another reminder that the Chelsea squad is incredibly deep this year when you look at the travelling group that beat Astana this afternoon.
Darren Bent massively rates Chelsea’s squad by saying it’s as good as anyone’s in the Premier League. In fairness, there’s certainly the strength in depth that most clubs don’t possess.
The fact that Guiu is the third-choice striker at the club says a lot about the forward options. Unfortunately, he’s got such an impossible job trying to get ahead of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the pecking order, but the youngster’s definitely looking like a future star.
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