According to Troy Deeney, Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu is unlikely to carve out a career at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Guiu, 19, has had a turbulent opening few months of the 2025-26 season. Even so, we certainly wouldn’t be writing off the teenage striker yet.
After sending the centre-forward to Sunderland on loan in the summer, Chelsea decided to recall him in the same month due to their own situation in attack, completely interrupting his plans.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca wasn’t happy with Guiu’s performances in training following his return, so it took some time for him to be picked. Thankfully, the Spaniard’s levels have improved, leading to recent appearances, even scoring against Ajax in midweek during the Champions League.
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu during a training session at Cobham.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Troy Deeney’s harsh verdict on Marc Guiu
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has made the firm assessment that Guiu will never be good enough to be the long-term solution for Chelsea.
During a conversation about Guiu on The Football Exchange, Deeney said: “Do I think he’ll have a very good career? Yes. But playing for Chelsea, I don’t think he’s got that level of killer finishing in him. And I don’t think he’s actually clean enough in his work that you would say you’ll be at Chelsea long term.”
The reality is that Guiu is still at the very infancy of his first-team career, which is why writing him off feels very odd at this stage. In fact, what he’s shown in glimpses is that he’s a hard-working number nine with great pace and power, so we’re excited about his potential as he develops further.
Here is a look at the 19-year-old’s senior record in club football:
Club Appearances Goals
Chelsea 19 7
Barcelona 7 2
Sunderland 3 1
Guiu, who temporarily became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League goalscorer a few days ago, definitely adds something to the current squad with his profile.
Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer saves a shot from Chelsea striker Marc Guiu in the Champions League.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Chelsea do trust their youngsters
It is quite obvious that Chelsea are willing to put their faith in youngsters, stacking the senior squad with plenty of talents for the future.
Now that Guiu has ended up in the main group again this term, it feels like a brilliant opportunity he needs to try and seize. After making 16 appearances across all competitions last season, his aim should be to better it.
It feels like he’ll be a natural understudy to Liam Delap when he returns from injury next week, but the fixtures do come thick and fast. Maresca has proven he’s willing to shuffle his pack regularly, too.