Arjun Menon
Guiu answers Maresca’s warning and earns starting nod
Enzo Maresca says a frank conversation about Marc Guiu‘s training has paid off, and the 19-year-old striker is now ready to start for Chelsea.
Guiu was pulled back to Stamford Bridge after a short loan at Sunderland, a recall prompted by Liam Delap‘s hamstring problem. Delap has been sidelined since August and is not expected to be available for the visit of Sunderland; Maresca indicated Delap could be fit for the EFL Cup tie against Wolves next week.
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Two weeks after the chat, Maresca says Guiu’s behaviour on the training pitch changed. The manager singled out his preparation, then backed him to step into the starting XI.
“I had a chat with Marc two weeks ago. I told him I didn’t like the way he was training and he needed to change. It changed and he got the chance.
“He was not training well, in all the ways. I don’t know why, but that’s sometimes the way with young ones and you need to go slowly with them.
“Since we chatted, it is top and fantastic and he is working very well.”
Guiu has made two Premier League substitute appearances this season, against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, and his movement helped create space for team-mates — including the build-up to Estevao Willian‘s late winner at Forest before the international break.
He started and scored in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Ajax on 22 October 2025, a performance that underlined why the club recalled him after just three games on loan.
Since joining Chelsea in 2024 for a reported £5m release clause after leaving Barcelona, Guiu has shone in European competition, scoring six goals in seven Conference League matches. He is still waiting for a first domestic goal for the senior side and made three substitute Premier League appearances last season.
With Guiu available, Maresca has shifted Joao Pedro into a number 10 role — a position the manager feels suits him better. Asked if Guiu could now start in the Premier League, Maresca was clear: “Absolutely, yes. He is ready to start.”
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris admitted losing Guiu was disruptive but said his side found an alternative, signing Brian Brobbey from Ajax for £21.6m on transfer deadline day.
“We were able to say yes because we found another solution,”
Le Bris said.
The deadline-day scramble also involved Chelsea initially blocking Nicolas Jackson‘s medical at Bayern Munich before eventually agreeing the move and calling Guiu back from the north-east.
Could Guiu be moved again if Delap returns? Maresca smiled at the question.
“Oh my god, we are in October. I don’t know. In football, things can change very quick for everyone, players and managers, so it is difficult to say.”