Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Monday, but the win came with a significant setback as striker Marc Guiu may have suffered a serious injury. The young forward’s potential long-term absence presents a challenge for manager Enzo Maresca, especially with crucial fixtures against Brighton in both the FA Cup and the Premier League approaching.
Guiu is suspected to have sustained an abductor injury, which could sideline him for an extended period. While the club is still awaiting confirmation on the severity, initial indications suggest it is not a minor issue. Maresca expressed his concern, stating, “Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury. Could be long-term, yeah. We are still waiting, but it doesn’t look like a short injury. Probably weeks or months.”
The injury crisis deepened for Chelsea when another key forward, Nicolas Jackson, also picked up a fitness issue during the same match. Jackson’s injury, however, is believed to be less severe, with early signs pointing to a possible hamstring problem. While his participation in the upcoming FA Cup tie remains uncertain, Maresca provided a more optimistic update. “Nico is better,” the Chelsea boss said. “He could play this weekend, but it could be a risk. We’ll see. It doesn’t look like a long injury.”
Marc Guiu, who arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer from Barcelona in a £5 million transfer, signed a five-year contract with the club. Though he has had limited opportunities on the pitch this season, Maresca has been pleased with his progress, previously commending the young striker’s work ethic and growth. Speaking earlier this month, Maresca praised the 18-year-old’s development, saying, “Marc is improving a lot, to be honest. He is doing fantastic. Day after day, he is more ready for that kind of game.”
With Guiu potentially out for a long period and Jackson’s availability uncertain, Chelsea may have to rely on Christopher Nkunku to step up and lead the line in their upcoming fixtures. The French forward, who has only recently returned from injury himself, could play a more prominent role as the team looks to navigate this difficult spell. When asked about his attacking options, Maresca remained confident despite the setbacks. “Yes, absolutely,” he said. “Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc. Sometimes we also adapt Christo [Nkunku] there, but if both are out, we will find another solution.”
Nkunku, who has been the subject of recent transfer speculation, may now be tasked with carrying more responsibility in Chelsea’s attack. Maresca acknowledged the forward’s potential impact, stating, “For sure, for sure [Nkunku can play a bigger role]. He played more or less half an hour against West Ham. From now on, he can hopefully get more minutes and help us.”
With a busy schedule ahead, Chelsea will need to find solutions quickly as they aim to maintain their momentum in both domestic competitions. The potential loss of Guiu, coupled with uncertainty over Jackson, means Maresca may have to make tactical adjustments in the coming games.
