Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admits Marc Guiu is a “bit unhappy” despite scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.

The 18-year-old helped Chelsea end the Conference League group phase with a 100 per cent record as they thrashed the Irish side at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. The former Barcelona youngster has had to play second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in the attacking pecking order. Now, head coach Maresca has commented on Guiu’s situation at present, while praising his young side’s efforts against Shamrock.

He told TNT Sports: “Marc is a bit unhappy as Nicolas [Jackson] and Christopher [Nkunku] are doing well. When you’re a nine and another nine is doing well it is a matter of being questioned. It is important that they work hard day by day and then they get a chance.”

Maresca added: “Very happy with the performances and results. In these kind of games it is easy not to do. They showed how professional they are and this is the right way. Since we started we have tried to share minutes – tonight was for young players. Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George are still very young, but we are very happy with them.”

Chelsea have gone from a side that were mocked for having such a huge squad of players this summer to a team challenging for the Premier League title and flying high in Europe. Even though Maresca has his team purring at present, keeping a lot of players happy is almost an impossible task. But if Guiu keeps firing in the goals, he will get more opportunities.

Guiu has made nine appearances in all competitions this season and five of those have been in the Conference League. He will hope to feature more regularly in Chelsea’s other competitions this term.

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