New Chelsea signing speaks out on why he swapped Barcelona for Stamford Bridge

Marc Guiu left Barcelona for Chelsea this summer at just 18 years old, having already made his debut for the Spanish giants, but says it was an ‘amazing opportunity’ to move to Stamford Bridge.

The 18-year-old made his Barca debut in October last year and scored two goals in seven appearances across all competitions last season.

The striker is making his name as one of the brightest young prospects in the world, proving that at the European Under-17 Championship in 2023 when he finished as top scorer.

Chelsea pulled off something of a coup as they triggered a release clause in his contract which was worth just £5m earlier this summer.

It is a huge move for the teenager to swap his home country for west London but Guiu says it is too good an opportunity to turn down.

‘I’ve always dreamt of playing in the Premier League and Chelsea is a great club with a lot of history,’ he said.

‘It was a tough decision but it was an amazing opportunity, so I had to go for it.’

Clearly still very inexperienced and joining a huge Chelsea squad in a new league, it may take some time for the young forward to make an impact in England under Blues boss Enzo Maresca, but he feels he is ready to do so.

‘I think I’m ready,’ he said. ‘We work very hard every day both on and off the pitch, on the physical aspect and the practical. So I think I’m ready to be on the pitch and help the team when I’m needed.

‘Maresca told me there was an amazing sporting project full of young talent, that he wanted me to be a part of it and that he had a lot of faith in me and my skills and capabilities.’

Guiu will hope to be in action as Chelsea continue their pre-season action against Real Madrid on Wednesday and Inter Milan Sunday.

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