Chelsea striker Marc Guiu hasn’t played in the Premier League since entering the game for the last 23 minutes of the team’s opening weekend loss to Manchester City.

The 18-year-old hasn’t even been added to the 20-man roster for most of the next league games. Guiu hasn’t been utilized as a replacement in the last four games, though, as Enzo Maresca has employed other options off the bench before the Spaniard.

However, despite facing far less formidable opponents, Guiu has been a revelation in the UEFA Conference League. In any case, the former Barcelona attacker has seized his opportunities when they have been presented.

Many fans were left wanting more after Guiu’s spectacular hat-trick at home against Shamrock Rovers seven days after his quick-fire brace away in Kazakhstan. Although Nicolas Jackson has been outstanding for Chelsea so far this season, he has failed to score in the last three games and has lost some crucial chances.

Despite previously acknowledging that Christopher Nkunku is not a natural No. 9, Maresca chose the Frenchman to lead the line when Jackson was rested at Ipswich Town on Monday night rather than deploying Guiu. Many fans have expressed disapproval of Nkunku’s off-the-ball work, which is concerning because it is very different from Guiu’s work ethic when he is given the opportunity.

The adolescent is an automaton. From a striker’s perspective, he is without a doubt Chelsea’s best presser right now. The Spaniard is a huge pain in the ass to play against because of his relentless, intelligent, and tireless pressing.

As one might anticipate given his raw age of 18, Guiu is far from the finished product. He is, nevertheless, a very talented center-forward with a bright future. But that might be far from Chelsea in the near future.

Chelsea won’t play in the Conference League again until March, and even then, Guiu might not start because the Blues will be facing more formidable opponents in the knockout stage. The striker may depart the team this month on a loan until the end of the season, according to rumors.

For Guiu’s development at the moment, that might be the best course of action. Guiu might return to Spain or possibly play in a lesser division of the English league. Given that he has only played 23 Premier League minutes this season, Guiu may feel unfairly treated regardless of what transpires during the January transfer window.