Enzo Maresca has revealed that he is prepared to let "unhappy" Marc Guiu leave Chelsea on-loan in January, despite his stellar form in the Europa Conference League. Guiu, 18, is the Conference League's top scorer with six goals, three of which came against Shamrock Rovers earlier this week as the Blues thrashed the Irish side 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard, who signed from FC Barcelona in the summer, however, has played just 23 minutes of football in the Premier League, and has more often than not been omitted from Maresca's matchday squads.
Speaking after the victory over Shamrock, Maresca revealed that Guiu is disappointed with his current role in the team. “Marc is a bit unhappy as Nicolas [Jackson] and Christopher [Nkunku] are doing well,” the Italian coach explained. “When you’re a No. 9 and another No. 9 is doing well, it is a matter of being questioned," he added. "It is important that they work hard day by day and then they get a chance.”
In another press conference on Thursday ahead of Chelsea's game against Everton this weekend, Maresca once again addressed Guiu's situation. Asked if he was open to letting the teenager leave on-loan after the New Year, he replied: "With young players like Marc, like Josh [Acheampong], like Tyrique [George], for me, the best thing for them is to be with us." "But then it depends a little on the desire of the players," he said. "If in this case, Marc’s desire is to get more minutes and to play more, then we see we sit with him and we will decide together.”
Nkunku transfer update
Guiu isn't the only forward who is reportedly dissatisfied with his current role at Chelsea. Last month, French newspaper L'Equipe reported that Christopher Nkunku is also "unhappy" with his lack of Premier League game time in West London this season. The Frenchman is the Blues' top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, but like Guiu, has barely featured in the top flight, with Maresca preferring Nicolas Jackson up-top.
Nkunku has been linked with a return to his boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain, as well as with Chelsea's Premier League rivals Manchester United, but a new report from Spain suggests he could instead be Barcelona bound. According to El Nacional, the Blues are keen to sign Barca youngster Fermin Lopez, and would be happy to include Nkunku as part of a swap deal for the 21-year-old. Fermin has started just three LaLiga games for Hansi Flick's side this season, and El Nacional report that the midfielder has now warned Barca's hierarchy that he will leave the Camp Nou in the near future if his circumstances don't change.
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