Enzo Maresca’s half-time substitutions did the trick for Chelsea in their Premier League game against Nottingham Forest, and Alan Shearer believes one player in particular changed the game.
The Blues were laboured in the first 45 minutes as Maresca watched on from the stands following his red card against Liverpool.
However, fast forward to full-time and Chelsea fans inside the City Ground were celebrating a 3-0 win, with Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James finding the net.
Maresca made three substitutions at half-time, bringing on Moises Caicedo, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu to try and sort things out after a woeful first half.
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Premier League
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Alan Shearer thinks Marc Guiu changed the game for Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
The introduction of the Spaniard to proceedings allowed Joao Pedro to influence the game more from the number 10 role, and Alan Shearer stated after the game that he believes Guiu changed the game for Chelsea.
He told Match of the Day: “Not only did he bring Gittens and Caicedo on to bring a bit of solidity, he brought Guiu on. You can see the difference now. Pedro is now predominantly playing in the 10, Guiu’s the centre forward, he’s running in behind, and all of a sudden, it changes.
“They’re now playing on the front foot, they’re now getting chances in the final third, Guiu’s coming short, but he’s also asking questions in behind. It’s such a clever run, he doesn’t get it first time, but you can see again, look where he ends up, again making it difficult for the Forest defence.
“They’re having to think again. Chelsea I think were without doubt much, much better for those changes at half-time.”
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Chelsea fans make decision on Guiu
After returning from his very brief loan spell at Sunderland, Guiu didn’t make an appearance for the Blues for a while. After playing for Chelsea, he would not be able to join another side this season.
However, after coming on against Liverpool he is now here to stay, and Maresca would do well to make the most of the Spaniard throughout this campaign.
Chelsea fans have called for Guiu to start in the upcoming games as the Blues continue to wait for the return of Liam Delap from injury.
The Blues are next in action in the Champions League against Ajax, before his former side Sunderland make the trip to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.