Joe Cole has compared one of Chelsea’s goalscorers in the club’s 3-1 Europa Conference League win over Astana to Luis Suarez due to his movement and finishing.
The Blues fielded a young side containing a number of academy products and several summer signings. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu all began the game as did Pedro Neto - who is suspended for Sunday’s clash with Brentford - and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Another was Renato Veiga, who scored his second goal for his new club to notch Chelsea’s third of the night. Guiu will want to claim both of the previous two.
His first on 14 minutes was unmistakably his, finishing finely from the angle after taking on his marker, which earned him praise from analysts. Chelsea’s second goal of the night four minutes later was more dubious.
The ball was bundled home from Neto’s cross but it was unclear whether Guiu had the final touch, and whether it was initially going on target before hitting the defender and going in. It initially went down as an own goal but UEFA’s official website later marked it as Guiu’s.
It takes the 18-year-old's tally for the season to three goals, having previously netted in last month’s 8-0 mauling of Noah FC. Guiu arrived from Barcelona for a £5m fee over the summer and has been used within Enzo Maresca’s rotation team used for cup competitions.
He has not played in the Premier League since his 23-minute stint on the opening day and last made a league matchday squad in September. However, the teenager has played in all five European matches so far, plus 14 minutes in the third round of the League Cup.
Former Chelsea star Cole handed him high praise after full-time on Thursday and compared him to one Barcelona great. "Marc Guiu must have watched Luis Suarez as a young man at Barcelona,” he told TNT Sports.
“He was a thorn in the side throughout for Astana in that first half. He was direct and the first goal was exquisite from the young man."