Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu reeled in the attention of the Conference League this week. For Chelsea’s 5-1 win, he stood out. He had a first-half hat trick. It enabled Enzo Maresca’s team to top the league phase. They also maintained their perfect record in the competition.
A loose header and an under-hit back pass led to Guiu’s goal. He also headed in a cross. In the league phase, he scored six goals. It’s more than probably everything any other player on the pitch has done.
Chelsea paid £31m to sign the Spanish youth international in July. Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole raised his question with Barcelona’s decision to move him on. Guiu, he thinks, could soon be a top player.
Guiu made an instant impact on the Barcelona first team. In October 2023 he came on and scored for Athletic Bilbao in half an hour. It handed Barcelona a 1-0 win. His path wasn’t always easy. He played most of his youth games, which were affected by growth spurts.
Barcelona’s former assistant director of youth football, Albert Capellas, said Guiu missed many games and training. Barcelona gave him time. This patience paid off. In 2023-24, Guiu debuted for the senior team and played six more times.
He also struck against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League. Guiu was a natural finisher, said Capellas. Guiu isn’t a great dribbler, he said. Of course, he is exceptional at scoring. It was claimed Barcelona tried to take out Guiu’s £5m release clause. Chelsea activated it in June.
Marc Guiu scores first half hattrick
Guiu also showed his scoring ability with goals against Shamrock Rovers. He compared him with Luis Suarez, he told reporters. Guiu’s instincts and bravery are similar, he said. Guiu can be a big star for Chelsea, believes Cole. Chelsea player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall praised how Guiu pressed.
Guiu never slows down, he said. All of Chelsea’s Conference League games have seen Marc Guiu play. He might only have had limited Premier League appearances, though.
Playing in Chelsea’s opening game against Manchester City. Nicolas Jackson was replaced with one injury. He also started against Barrow in the Carabao Cup. Guiu has a great Conference League record. He scores one every 47 minutes. His shooting accuracy is 32%.
That would have kept Guiu’s opportunities to a minimum, with the good form of Jackson and Christopher Nkunku’s goals. And Marc Guiu will have more chances soon, Maresca said. Guiu has to work hard, he said. Then he will get his chance.
Chelsea cruises past Rovers
Marc Guiu’s meteoric rise at Chelsea, which has prompted much debate over his possibilities as well as Barca’s decision to put him on the scrapheap, has been at the centre of it all. His performance in the Conference League especially, his hat trick against Shamrock Rovers. .
Has pinpointed his natural goal-scoring ability. It begs the question of what youth development strategies are being employed at top clubs. In addition, it emphasises the need to offer young players the opportunity to establish themselves
Guiu is showing his mettle right now in the Conference League. It also gives him the playing time and experience. He’s got good statistics in the competition. He’s got a high goal-per-minute ratio and great shooting accuracy. These numbers only portend success at a higher level.
Author’s Opinion
In my view, he is competing for places in Chelsea’s Premier League squad. He is presently ahead in the pecking order of players such as Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. For Guiu this poses a problem.
He has to play well in any chances he gets. To convince the manager of his case for more playing time at Premier League level he has to prove something.
The future impact of Guiu depends on several things. For a start, he will have to continue his progression as a player. He’ll have to work on his skills, his tactics, his physique and on becoming more mature. Secondly, he must play minutes at a high level.
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