Eight seconds was all Marc Guiu needed against Celtic to give Chelsea fans a glimpse of just what he can offer Enzo Maresca’s team in the years ahead. Making the move from Barcelona at the beginning of July on a five-year contract for £5million, the Spaniard is very much another talented youngster signed with the future in mind at Stamford Bridge.
However, Guiu appears that he could be a player for the here and now under Maresca if his pre-season performances are anything to go by. Following a good showing against Wrexham during the week, the 18-year-old was handed another start for Chelsea as they fell to an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against Celtic at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana.
Leading the line for his new club, Guiu was involved from the off as Chelsea mounted a lightning-quick attack from kick-off that Carney Chukwuemeka really should have finished off. Receiving the ball from Christopher Nkunku after the Frenchman had produced a fine first-time flick into his path from Levi Colwill’s ball, what Guiu did next was even more impressive.
Taking a touch of the ball, he then at some speed flicked the ball through Liam Scales’ legs and left the Celtic defender trailing in his wake. Duly putting Chukwuemeka through on goal, the attacking midfielder’s first touch was too heavy and that allowed Greg Taylor time to come back and put the ball out for a corner. It was excellent play from Chelsea, with many fans pointing out Guiu’s pivotal role in the opening.
There was even more to come from the Granollers-born player over the course of the first half as he displayed his power and strength as well as his ability to link up with his teammates. His movement off the ball is also equally impressive and something that must give his opponents nightmares.
The link-up play with Nkunku that was on show inside the first eight seconds was there for all to see just prior to half-time but it unfortunately came to nothing with the angle too tight on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. Guiu will perhaps feel that he should have had a goal to his name one minute into the second half with two attempts in quick succession.
Using his strength to get the better of Cameron Carter-Vickers in the box and create an opening for himself, the Spain Under-19 player tested Schmeichel at his near post before shooting straight at the experienced goalkeeper after Raheem Sterling had crashed an effort against the post. The frontman was also incredibly unlucky not long after with Sterling and Schmeichel heavily involved once again.
After the Premier League title winner had saved low to his left from Sterling’s effort, the ball struck Guiu but just trickled wide of the post. Continuing to work hard and team up well with Nkunku on occasions, which does hint at a potential exciting partnership to come for Maresca, one moment midway inside the second half highlighted what Guiu can bring to the team off the ball.
With Reo Hatate in possession outside the box and looking in total control, the summer addition put in the hard yards and used his strength to rob the Celtic midfielder of the ball and send him crashing to the ground to eventually win his team a corner. It was a poor resulting kick from Noni Madueke at a time when Guiu deserved more for his endeavour.
A game with very few positives for Maresca considering the humiliating 4-1 scoreline, Guiu’s performance was certainly one plus point for the head coach as he caught the eye in Indiana. The Italian was asked about his new signing in his post-match press conference and dropped a hint over his plans for the attacker going into the new season.
“The idea with Marc, with all the young players, is to have a look now during the pre-season and then to make a decision altogether,” said Maresca. “I think Marc is doing well and he’s one of the guys in this moment is going to stay with us and not going to go somewhere.”
The £5million Chelsea paid Barcelona for his services could prove to be quite the steal if he continues to progress at his current rate in the months ahead.
