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ENZO MARESCA ADMITS CHELSEA STAR DROPPED AHEAD OF SUNDERLAND SHOWDOWN

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Marc Guiu is now "ready to start" after a frank talk about his training. The striker, recalled from Sunderland, has scored after being challenged to improve his work ethic.

Enzo Maresca Admits Chelsea Star Dropped Ahead of Sunderland Showdown
Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea team news ahead of Sunderland - COURTESY/PHOTO

Enzo Maresca maintains that Chelsea striker Marc Guiu is now "ready to start" for the Blues, although he was "not training properly" to play recently.

As they searched throughout Europe for the top young players, the west London club paid £5 million to sign Guiu from Barcelona last year.

In August, Guiu signed a loan agreement with Sunderland of the Premier League; however, after just three games with the Black Cats, Chelsea called him back before the transfer window closed.

After missing the first six games of the season, he made his first appearance earlier this month when Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-1.

The 19-year-old started and scored in the Blues' 5-1 Champions League victory over Ajax in midweek after coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest the previous weekend.

Additionally, Maresca disclosed that before his role against Liverpool on October 4, Guiu was not training effectively enough to play for Chelsea.

During his news conference on Friday, Maresca disclosed: "We spoke with Marc two weeks ago, and I told him that I did not like the way he was training and that he needed to change." It seems as if he transformed and now has the opportunity.

"In every aspect, he was not training properly."

"I do not know, that is why a young player sometimes they are one way, so you need to go gently, slowly with them," Maresca said in response to a question about Guiu's lack of effort.

But he stopped when we started talking. He is working really well and is [now] amazing.

"Definitely absolutely," Maresca continued when asked if he was now prepared to begin. He is prepared to begin.

Maresca responded, "Oh my god, we are in October, I do not know," when asked if Guiu may be loaned back to Sunderland in January.

"It is really hard to tell because in football, things can change quickly for everyone—players, managers, and everyone else."

Estevao, an 18-year-old Brazilian who has made an impression for both club and country this season, is another young player making an impression at Stamford Bridge.

"We have Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro, who are both helping him a lot since they have already been in Europe for a different time, so they are helping him a lot," Maresca continued in response to the growing attention being paid to Estevao.

"With Estevao and all the young players who have arrived from overseas, we as a club and personnel simply strive to support him and give him the attention he needs."

We mentioned the other day that he is a unique player. The good thing about him is that he is content and only thinks about football.

"Once more, his family is excellently raising him."

LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY

Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.

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Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.

After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.

“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”

Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.

“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”

When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”

WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT

Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.

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Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.

People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.

Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.

Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.

Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.

You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.

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