Enzo Maresca claims Chelsea player with zero Premier League starts this season now looks ‘more ready’ to play games

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has singled out one first-team player for big praise in Friday morning’s press conference and suggested he’s ready to play more often.

Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media ahead of the Blues’ match at home to West Ham on Monday night in the Premier League.

The Chelsea manager needs a response from his side after only one victory in their previous seven league games, which puts them sixth in the division table.

Maresca has provided a Chelsea injury update ahead of the West Ham fixture by explaining there’s no fresh problems since the defeat to Manchester City last time out.

• READ MORE: Graham Potter identifies where Enzo Maresca is doing a ‘great job’ ahead of Chelsea vs West Ham

Enzo Maresca claims Chelsea player is ready to more often

Maresca admitted this morning that he’s been super impressed by the development of Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu recently. In fact, he believes that the 19-year-old striker may be “more ready” to make a bigger contribution to the side.

When asked if Guiu is ready to play more for Chelsea, Maresca replied: “Marc is improving a lot, to be honest. He’s doing fantastic. Day after day, he is more ready for that kind of game. Sometimes the decision I take is because I see something; sometimes good, sometimes not. For sure, I think Marc is day after day more ready.”

Guiu, who joined the Blues from Barcelona in the summer, is still trying to earn regular minutes. It sounds like he’s moving closer to winning over Maresca, though.

The teenage centre-forward is yet to start any match in the Premier League, but he’s shown his potential with eye-catching displays in other competitions.

What’s next for Marc Guiu?

Chelsea recently rejected Coventry City’s loan approach for Guiu, so it suggests he’s firmly in their first-team plans. The youngster should be even more encouraged by what his manager said on Friday, too.

We’re desperate to see more of the Spanish talent in the Premier League, especially because striker Nicolas Jackson has lost his shooting boots in the last month.

In Guiu, you’ll get an extremely raw talent who’s just desperate to get on the pitch. We’ve seen in Europe that the frontman is quick, strong and a hard worker. He’s got an eye for goal, too.

Jason Cundy thinks Guiu suits Chelsea better than Christopher Nkunku right now, so let’s see if he gets more chances in the second half of the season.