Enzo Maresca should hand a start to 18-year-old Chelsea youngster in Conference League vs Heidenheim

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While Chelsea have already secured their place in the next round of the Conference League, there will be a real appetite to remain the most dominant side in the competition this season.

Enzo Maresca has used the competition to give his fringe players regular minutes, as they attempt to show that they should be given more opportunities as a starting player.

Pedro Neto has taken his chance this season, with him now a key member of the Premier League side. Despite injury stopping him featuring against Leicester, Neto is set to be fit for next weekend’s game.

In their competition-record 8-0 win over Noah, the boss was actually able to get a look at a number of his younger players at first team level.

Marc Guiu should start for Chelsea vs Heidenheim

One of those who featured from the start was Marc Guiu, and he marked the occasion by finding the net for the first time for his new side.

The 18-year-old was a bright spark during pre-season, and Axel Disasi said after the game that Guiu was a talented youngster.

Despite Thursday’s opposition of Heidenheim being a far higher quality, Guiu has definitely done enough to start for the Blues again.

The striker for the majority of games in the competition so far has been Christopher Nkunku, however he can feature behind the striker this week after Joao Felix started in the Premier League last weekend.

Marc Guiu stats in Chelsea 8-0 Noah

Despite playing just 45 minutes, Guiu made a real impact on the side, winning the ball back for one of Chelsea’s goals in the first half.

He led the press brilliantly, and showed a real understanding with the style of play that Maresca is looking to bring to his side even outside of the Premier League.

There was talk before the transfer window closed that the Spaniard could leave the club on loan over the summer. Real Betis were particularly interested in bringing Guiu in.

Chelsea believed their young forward could make an impact straight away though, and he should be handed another chance to prove this on Thursday evening.