Marc Guiu is officially a Chelsea football player since 1 June 2024. The Catalan signed with the 'blue' entity until 2029. A long-term contract that, on paper, demonstrated the English team's intention to make him a first-team reference. But Chelsea committed an act of selfishness against him this summer.

The player's departure did not sit well with many Culés. That the young academy player had chosen to secure better economic conditions without practically having stepped onto football's highest stage caused some division: some understood it as an intelligent move and others as a poor decision, as they claimed he would find it very difficult to get regular minutes in London.

In his first season, the 2024/25 campaign, this second scenario came to pass: Guiu played only 14 matches, in which he managed to score 6 goals, all of them in the Conference League, the competition where he had the most appearances (7).

At that time, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager until this January, did not give him opportunities in other scenarios. He played only 3 Premier League matches, one FA Cup match, another Carabao Cup match, and the two Conference League preliminary round matches. In the summer, he participated in two more matches in the Club World Cup, bringing his total appearances to 16.

After the experience in the United States, where he was crowned champion of the first new Club World Cup after beating PSG in the final, shortly after tasting glory in Poland against Betis in the Conference League, Guiu went on loan to Sunderland.

The challenge as a 'Black Cat' was interesting: securing survival in a category very hostile for newly promoted teams. And although he was going to find it much easier to get minutes each week, he had to earn the trust of Régis Le Bris. In the end, Guiu arrived at the club without having had practically any opportunities to prove his talent, but he could at least confirm he had a nose for goal.

He started with enthusiasm, getting into the rhythm with the team, playing 11 and 4 minutes in the league against Burnley and Brentford, and then playing the full 90 minutes against Huddersfield in the EFL Cup, a match in which he could celebrate his first goal as a 'Black Cat'. What he did not know was that his Sunderland adventure was about to end.

The serious injury to striker Liam Delap, signed that same summer for £35.5 million, blew up all of Chelsea's sporting planning, as they had also sold Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich. Without forwards, they were clear: bring Guiu back, even if that meant the player would rarely leave the bench.

Since returning to Stamford Bridge, Marc Guiu has played 11 matches (7 in the league, one in the FA Cup, and one in the Champions League) and has scored 2 goals. A first stretch of the season in which, once again, it became clear that Enzo Maresca had no faith in him. And now it seems Liam Rosenior, the Italian's replacement, does not either.

In the league, he has now gone 9 matches without playing (he has not done so since 6 December against Bournemouth) and, counting all competitions, he has gone 6 consecutive matches without minutes. He was on the market, but he did not end up leaving. Not even on loan. A complicated situation for the player, selfish on Chelsea's part, and one that surprises few football followers.

Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. Scroll up to the top of the page and click 'Join'.

Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favourite teams and news!