New Delhi: Marc Guiu is by no means the only Chelsea youth player to draw attention in the Conference League this season as was the talk of the town following the Blues’ most recent resounding win. With a hat-trick in the first half to assist Enzo Maresca’s squad lead the league phase and keep their perfect record in the competition, the 18-year-old was the Blues’ most impressive player in their 5-1 triumph over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
After Markus Poom equalized, Guiu mercilessly took advantage of Darragh Burns’ errant header to open the scoring. He then intercepted Daniel Cleary’s under-hit back pass and finished from the tightest of angles to give Chelsea the lead again. The teenager also scored his sixth league phase goal, more than any other player in the competition, in the first half stoppage time after guiding a header into the far corner after getting on the end of Noni Madueke’s accurate cross.
On the hour mark, Joao Felix took the place of the Spanish youth international, who had joined Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer, but Guiu had the night. The 18-year-old became the youngest Chelsea player to score a hattrick in European competitions as the last player to do so was Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 2018/19 Europa League, when he was 22.
Will this display earn him a Premier League start?
Introducing the #UECL top scorer 🌟
🔵 Marc Guiu = 6 goals in 6 games 🤯 pic.twitter.com/w0sSCkT5qK
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) December 19, 2024
Guiu has had few domestic opportunities despite playing in every Chelsea Conference League game this season, including the qualifying play-off matchup with Servette. Since replacing the injured Nicolas Jackson in the Blues’ opening match against the champions Manchester City, which ended in a 2-0 loss, he has not played in any Premier League games till now.
Although he came on as a substitute in the second half of the Blues’ 5-0 Carabao Cup triumph over Barrow, Guiu was not given any further chances to make an impression in that tournament because of their fourth-round loss to Newcastle. However, in Europe, things have been different. Guiu has the best record in the Conference League league phase, averaging a goal every 47 minutes.
His ability to get into goal scoring positions and convert the chances that are being provided to him makes him a great prospect for the Blues. Even though two of Guiu’s three goals against Shamrock Rovers were assisted, he capitalized on those first-half mistakes by displaying the predatory instinct that he has. Christopher Nkunku’s goal-scoring prowess in the Conference League and Jackson’s prolific Premier League record may have postponed a true first-team debut, but Enzo Maresca said it will not be long before the teenager is given more opportunities to shine.
So far, his style of play has matched what Maresca has been asking from him, and it won’t be long that he finally gets to showcase his abilities on the pitch. However, Chelsea need to capitalise on this run of form, and ensure that the Spaniard is happy with his playing time in the league. A possible move can also sort this issue as he can be a pretty good asset for any top European club with the way he has performed lately.
Marc Guiu makes history as Chelsea’s youngest player to score a hat-trick in European competitions after scoring thrice against Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
