To say that Guiu hit the bottom working after breaking into the Barcelona first crew could be a serious understatement.
The La Masia graduate made an prompt influence after approaching within the 79th minute of Barcelona’s La Liga match in opposition to Athletic Bilbao in October 2023, scoring simply 33 seconds later to earn Xavi’s crew a 1-0 victory.
His path to the senior facet was a lot much less simple, nonetheless. Impacted by a number of development spurts throughout his teenage years, the frontman was not at all times a daily starter at youth stage.
“He missed a number of video games,” Albert Capellas, Barcelona’s former assistant director of youth soccer, advised Sky Sports activities earlier this 12 months. “He couldn’t practice.
“What occurs at a number of golf equipment, when you can not practice or play, perhaps it’s important to depart. [But] at Barcelona, we all know the extent of the gamers, we give them time.”
The Catalan membership’s endurance performed into Guiu’s palms. He made an additional six appearances for the senior crew in 2023-24, scoring once more in a 3-2 defeat by Royal Antwerp within the Champions League.
“Marc Guiu is a finisher,” added Capellas. “[He] shouldn’t be a participant who has unbelievable expertise one in opposition to one, who can dribble previous gamers. He’s one other kind of participant, however he’s distinctive in his place. He has the nostril to attain targets.”
Barcelona are believed to have tried to take away Guiu’s modest £5m launch clause from his contract by providing an extension, however Chelsea activated that clause in June earlier than signing the teen on a five-year deal, with an possibility of an additional 12 months at Stamford Bridge.