Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu is “a bit unhappy” despite scoring a hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-1 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League. The victory secured Chelsea’s spot in the next round with a 100% group stage record.
Guiu, a former Barcelona youngster, has found himself playing second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the attacking pecking order. Maresca attributed Guiu’s frustration to the competition for the number nine spot, emphasizing the importance of hard work and seizing opportunities.
“We’re very happy with the performances and results,” Maresca said. “In these kind of games, it’s easy not to perform. They showed how professional they are, and this is the right way. We’ve tried to share minutes, and tonight was for young players.”
Chelsea’s impressive run, including a strong Premier League campaign, has raised questions about managing player expectations. However, Guiu’s goal-scoring form could earn him more opportunities in Chelsea’s other competitions.
Chelsea’s transformation from a squad ridiculed for its size this summer to a title-contending team in both the Premier League and Europe is remarkable. Despite Maresca’s team performing well, keeping multiple players happy remains a significant challenge. If Guiu continues to score, he may receive more playing time.
Guiu has made nine appearances across all competitions this season, with five in the Conference League. He will likely aim to feature more regularly in Chelsea’s other competitions moving forward.
Chelsea’s next match is against Everton in the Premier League on 22 December 2024.
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