Guiu Adapts Following Maresca’s Criticism

Chelsea’s Coach Sees Improvement in Young Forward

Enzo Maresca, the head coach at Chelsea, believes that being straightforward with Marc Guiu has positively influenced the young striker’s performance after expressing his dissatisfaction with Guiu’s training habits.

Updates on Delap’s Recovery

Liam Delap, a summer acquisition, is back in training; however, he’s not yet fit for first-team participation due to a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since August. This injury led to Chelsea bringing Guiu back from his loan stint at Sunderland after just a handful of appearances.

Upcoming Fixture Insights

Sunderland will visit Stamford Bridge for an upcoming match on Saturday, but Delap is expected to miss this game, with a potential return against Wolves in the EFL Cup the following week. Meanwhile, Chelsea has been relying on Joao Pedro as their leading striker, while Guiu has yet to make a starting appearance in the Premier League this season. However, he did feature prominently by scoring in Chelsea’s recent 5-1 victory over Ajax in the Champions League.

A Turning Point for Guiu

“I had a discussion with Marc a couple of weeks back,” said Maresca. “I told him I was unhappy with his training performance and that he needed to make some adjustments. Since that conversation, I’ve observed significant improvement in his efforts.”

Maresca elaborated on Guiu’s earlier training issues, stating that his performance was lacking across multiple aspects. “Sometimes young players can struggle, and we must manage them carefully. Ever since our discussion, his commitment has been exceptional.”

Guiu has participated as a substitute in two Premier League games this season, contributing to the team by creating space for goals such as Estevao Willian’s decisive goal against Liverpool before the break.

This involvement has also allowed Joao Pedro to transition into a more central attacking role, where Maresca feels he thrives. When asked if Guiu could be in line to start his first Premier League match this season, Maresca confidently replied, “Absolutely, he’s prepared to start.”

Guiu’s Unique Journey and Ambiguous Future

Marc Guiu made his way to Chelsea in 2024, following the club activating his £5 million release clause after he opted not to extend his contract with Barcelona. He has achieved success in the Conference League, finding the net six times in seven matches, but has yet to score in domestic competitions, having only been a substitute in three Premier League matches last season.

After Chelsea signed Joao Pedro for their Club World Cup roster, Guiu was loaned to Sunderland. However, after Delap’s injury during a match against Fulham, an urgent decision was required on deadline day.

Chelsea’s management initially halted Nicolas Jackson’s medical with Bayern Munich before approving his transfer and recalling Guiu from Sunderland. Sunderland’s manager, Regis Le Bris, mentioned they were prepared to let Guiu go because they could secure another striker, Brian Brobbey from Ajax for £21.6 million.

Despite the upheaval, Chelsea and Sunderland maintain a healthy relationship, with discussions around Guiu potentially rejoining Sunderland on loan in January. However, FIFA regulations allow players to participate in official matches for only two clubs in a single season, meaning Guiu can either remain with Chelsea or return to Sunderland.

When asked if Delap’s return might influence Guiu’s status with the team, Maresca commented, “We’re still in October. It’s difficult to predict. Football can change quickly for everyone involved.”

Conclusion

As Chelsea navigates the season with shifting player dynamics, both Maresca’s confidence in Guiu and the ongoing recovery of Delap will play crucial roles in the squad’s performance and depth.