Enzo Maresca gave Marc Guiu some rare minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
Guiu has barely played for Chelsea since being recalled from his loan at Sunderland following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
However, the young striker played 45 minutes at the City Ground and also made an appearance against Liverpool just before the international break.
Guiu’s lack of game time has clearly been a concern for the player, who has spoken to Maresca about it. After his display in the Forest win, Chelsea fans would like to see more of Guiu.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sitting on bench
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca promised to give Marc Guiu Chelsea opportunity if he kept training hard
Prior to his 16-minute cameo in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool, Guiu had not made an appearance for the Blues since returning to Stamford Bridge.
According to The Athletic, it led to Guiu approaching Maresca at the end of one training session to enquire about what he had to do to get a chance.
The same outlet claims that, in response, Maresca promised the 19-year-old that if he kept working hard at Cobham, his opportunity would come.
Making back-to-back appearances against Liverpool and Forest, Maresca kept his word. At the City Ground, Guiu even got to play the entirety of the second half.
Alan Shearer was impressed with Guiu’s display, highlighting one “clever” run he made during the game.
Marc Guiu celebrates after Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Marc Guiu could be set for another opportunity on Wednesday
Chelsea’s next game is against Ajax in the Champions League. Ajax travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, searching for their first three points of the league phase.
With Joao Pedro suspended following his red card in the Benfica win, Guiu could be given his first Chelsea start of the season.
After his performance against Forest, he probably deserves it. However, it would not be a surprise if Maresca went with Tyrique George, whom the Chelsea boss has a lot of trust in.
George started the Benfica match, with the England Under-21 international being deployed as a striker.