Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that Marc Guiu is "more ready" for greater involvement in the first team.
Guiu arrived from Barcelona in the summer with the realistic prospect of being loaned out to fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg than remain in Maresca's senior ranks.
However, the 19-year-old has been provided with 540 minutes of football spread over 12 appearances, Guiu netting six times in the Conference League.
With Chelsea not resuming their schedule in that competition until March, there has been the possibility of the youngster going out on loan.
Nevertheless, at a press conference on Friday, Maresca hinted that the Spain Under-19 international is doing everything possible to move himself up the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
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What did Maresca say on Guiu?
Speaking to reporters, Maresca said: "Marc is improving a lot, to be honest. He's doing fantastic. He's improving a lot. I think day after day, he is more ready for that kind of game.
"Sometimes the decision I take is because I see something. Sometimes it is good, sometimes not. But for sure, I think Marc is, day after day, is more ready."
Maresca had been answering a question in relation to Guiu possessing similar qualities to Nicolas Jackson, who has not scored since December 15.
Despite being selected on the substitutes' bench for the last eight Premier League fixtures, Guiu has only been handed one nine-minute outing.
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Better fit than Nkunku?
Much is made of the quality of opponents in the Conference League but Guiu deserves credit for his six goals in as many League Phase fixtures in that competition.
Five of those strikes have come against Astana and Shamrock Rovers, but he also showed signs of promise in an outing versus Bundesliga side Heidenheim.
There is an argument that, despite his age, Guiu is a better fit down the middle of Maresca's attack than Christopher Nkunku, who was ineffective on his last Premier League start versus Ipswich Town on December 30.
If Chelsea are able to generate a suitable offer for Nkunku, a departure should not be out of the question with Guiu having the potential to step up to deputy to Jackson.
Darren Plant
