Maresca Blasts Chelsea, Backs Guiu To Start

After Chelsea’s stoppage-time 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, manager Enzo Maresca said the team "were not good enough," criticizing a lack of creativity up front and defenders’ failure to deal with an easy two‑v‑one long ball that allowed Chemsdine Talbi’s winner. Maresca disclosed he had a frank conversation with 19‑year‑old Marc Guiu after recalling him from a short Sunderland loan following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury. Guiu has since improved in training, earned substitute appearances in the Premier League, and started and scored in Chelsea’s 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax. Maresca said Guiu is "absolutely" ready to start. Delap has returned to training but is not yet match‑fit, while Joao Pedro remains the club’s primary striker and can shift into a number‑10 role when a traditional No.9 starts.