To say that Guiu hit the bottom operating after breaking into the Barcelona first workforce could be a serious understatement.
The La Masia graduate made an instantaneous impression after approaching within the 79th minute of Barcelona’s La Liga match towards Athletic Bilbao in October 2023, scoring simply 33 seconds later to earn Xavi’s workforce a 1-0 victory.
His path to the senior aspect was a lot much less simple, nevertheless. Impacted by a number of progress spurts throughout his teenage years, the diminutive frontman was not at all times an everyday starter at youth degree.
“He missed lots of video games,” Albert Capellas, Barcelona’s former assistant director of youth soccer, instructed Sky Sports activities earlier this 12 months. “He couldn’t prepare.
“What occurs at lots of golf equipment, for those who can not prepare or play, perhaps you need to depart. [But] at Barcelona, we all know the extent of the gamers, we give them time.”
The Catalan membership’s persistence performed into Guiu’s fingers. He made an extra six appearances for the senior workforce 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] just isn’t a participant who has unbelievable abilities one towards one, who can dribble previous gamers. He’s one other sort of participant, however he’s distinctive in his place. He has the nostril to attain objectives.”
In June this 12 months, Chelsea reached an settlement to activate his £5m launch clause earlier than signing the teenager on a five-year contract, with an choice of an extra 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
