Chelsea’s young striker Marc Guiu has turned heads with a remarkable turnaround after a candid conversation with head coach Enzo Maresca. The 19-year-old, recently recalled from a loan spell at Sunderland, had been struggling to secure a spot in Chelsea’s first team. However, a heart-to-heart with Maresca before the Liverpool match sparked a dramatic shift in his approach and performance.
Guiu, who had not made a single appearance for Chelsea prior to October, took the initiative to approach Maresca during a training session to discuss his lack of game time. The Italian coach, known for his straightforward style, didn’t hold back. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Maresca revealed, “We had a chat with Marc two weeks ago. I said I didn’t like the way he trained. He was not training well—in all the ways.”
The critique was a wake-up call for the young striker, born in 2006. Maresca noted the challenges of managing young players, saying, “Young players sometimes are one way, then another, so you need to go slowly with them.” But Guiu took the feedback to heart, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular.
Since their conversation, Guiu’s training performances have been “top” and “fantastic,” according to Maresca. The former Barcelona academy star has shown a willingness to listen and adapt, earning the trust of his manager. His efforts paid off with three appearances for Chelsea in October, including a 16-minute cameo in the win over Liverpool and a goalscoring performance against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Maresca has been thoroughly impressed by Guiu’s response, declaring him “absolutely” ready for the Premier League. Describing the striker’s playing style, he said, “Marc is a typical number nine, physically strong, a box player. He can improve, and we are working with him every day to help him. He is going to play games with us.”
Despite Joao Pedro’s return from suspension for the upcoming match against Sunderland on Saturday, Guiu’s recent form suggests he could still make an impact off the bench, as he did in Chelsea’s victory over Nottingham Forest last week. With his newfound fire and Maresca’s backing, the young Spaniard is proving he’s ready to seize every opportunity at Stamford Bridge.