Marc Guiu has no regrets over swapping Barcelona for Chelsea and has vowed to cause havoc against his old club in the Champions League.
Guiu enjoyed a dream debut for Barca, scoring the winner 23 seconds after coming on against Athletic Bilbao in October 2023, but opted to join Chelsea at the end of that season in search of more regular playing time.
He made 16 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge, helping the club to the Conference League and Club World Cup titles.
Guiu told RAC1: “I don’t regret leaving Barça. I left because I thought it was the best for my career and what I have to do now is enjoy the Premier League.
“It was a difficult decision, Barça has given me everything, it was my home. But there were many strikers and they didn’t guarantee me to be in the first team, so I think I chose the best option.
“[Chelsea boss Enzo] Maresca called me and told me that he trusted me and the sports project was incredible.”
Early recall from Sunderland
Guiu was happy to be sent on loan to Premier League new-boys Sunderland at the start of this season but was recalled prior to Monday’s transfer deadline after Chelsea striker Liam Delap sustained an injury against Fulham and Nicolas Jackson departed for Bayern Munich.
He added: ”This summer we talked to Chelsea because I wanted to have more minutes. I arrived at Sunderland with great enthusiasm, the fans were incredible, one of the best I’ve ever seen. I was very comfortable, but after Liam Delap’s injury, they asked me to come back. I’m a Chelsea player and that’s where I’m going.”
I will destroy Cubarsi, jokes Guiu
Guiu is set for an emotional meeting with Barca on November 25 after the two clubs were drawn together in the Champions League.
The 19-year-old revealed he had already been winding up former Barca team-mate Pau Cubarsi over the game and is confident Chelsea will come out on top.
“It will be a special game, the game of my life,” he said. “I hope I can have minutes. The key to Chelsea is the unity and the work of the coach. He works very well tactically, the training is intense. He has the influence of [Pep] Guardiola, the training is very similar to that at Barça, with a lot of ball and positional play.
“I have already told Cubarsí that I will destroy him, although I would not celebrate a goal.”
Asked which team he thought were favourites, Guiu added: “Chelsea are the best team in the world today. We have an incredible squad. Maresca is very good and when we go out on the field we know what to do. The rival can’t do anything about it.”
