Marc Guiu to bypass Christopher Nkunku into Chelsea XI under Maresca - Joe Cole
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Marc Guiu is ready to get a chance in the Premier League for Chelsea, Joe Cole and Shay Given have claimed.
The 18-year-old joined the Blues back in the summer transfer window, signing from Barcelona for €6million (£4.97million) (The Athletic). He has since made just a single appearance in the Premier League, playing 24 minutes in the defeat to Man City back in August.
It has been a different story in the UEFA Conference League, where Guiu has seven goals in eight games for Chelsea, including a first-half hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday (19 December).
After pouncing on two defensive errors, the striker then completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time when he headed home a Noni Madueke cross.
Cole had previously suggested that Guiu could benefit from a loan move in January, but now feels he is already in line for a league chance with Chelsea.
Speaking about the teenager on TNT Sports (8:56pm), the former Blues star said: “This kid can score goals. He’s got, he’s got a striker’s instinct… the fans were singing his name after the third, but he could be a big, big star for this club.”
After host Lindsey Hipgrave asked if he would like to see Guiu play in the Premier League for Chelsea, Cole added: “I did, as soon as you said that, I want to see what this kid can do in the Premier League now, he presses so well.”
Former Newcastle ‘keeper Given then added: “It’s amazing, you see [Nicolas] Jackson and [Christopher] Nkunku, we’re always talking about them as a striker. But this competition we spoke about it before the game.
“It’s an opportunity for a player, he scores a hat-trick tonight for the manager now at the weekend he’s going ‘this guy’s on fire’!”
Christopher Nkunku place could be under threat after Marc Guiu’s Chelsea exploits
Football Insider Opinion
If Guiu is to break into Enzo Maresca’s side in the Premier League he is going to have to take someone’s place in the matchday squad.
Jackson has been outstanding for Chelsea in the league for so much of this season, so it is unlikely that he will be dropped.
As a result, it is another centre-forward in Nkunku who could find his place in the squad under threat if the 18-year-old is to be given such an opportunity.
There have already been suggestions that the Frenchman is not entirely happy with his situation at Stamford Bridge this season, so losing his place this way might raise more questions on his future.
Even so, Maresca will surely be aware that there is a big step-up to be made from the Conference League to the Premier League, and there is plenty at stake with Chelsea second in the table.
With that in mind, the Blues boss might be more hesitant about given Guiu his chance in the Premier League than some pundits might suggest.
In other news, it has been claimed that UEFA could take action after what happened in Chelsea vs Shamrock Rovers.
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