Chelsea terminate Marc Guiu's loan at Sunderland as Enzo Maresca scrambles for striker cover after Liam Delap injury with Nicolas Jackson also staying put

Fabrizio Romano reports Guiu will return to Chelsea with immediate effect after striking an agreement with Sunderland to terminate his loan deal. Guiu spent the 2024-25 season with Chelsea after arriving from Barcelona last summer, scoring six goals in 16 games in all competitions. With the Black Cats, the teenager made three appearances and scored one goal, which came in the Carabao Cup.

Maresca's plans for the season were dealt a hammer blow during his side's comfortable 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, as Delap was forced off the field inside the opening 15 minutes after sustaining a hamstring injury. According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have much to worry about, as the English striker's injury could prove to be worse than initially thought. Upon immediate assessment of his injury, it was revealed Delap could be ruled out for six to eight weeks, but a longer layoff cannot be ruled out upon further examination. 

Jackson was on his way to complete his loan move to Bayern Munich after the Bundesliga giants agreed to pay a record €15 million (£13m/$17.5m) loan fee with an obligation to permanently buy him next summer for €80m (£69m/$93m). The Senegalese striker had even landed in Germany for his medical, but after news of Delap's injury broke out, the Blues revoked Jackson's permission to undergo the medical. The 24-year-old was adamant on signing for Die Roten and refused to return to London in the hope Bayern would convince Chelsea to let him join them. However, Jackson's wishes did not come to fruition as Bayern pulled the plug and withdrew from the operation on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether Jackson returns to the dynamic under Maresca after he was told he was not being counted on for the 2025-26 season. It is clear that Joao Pedro will continue to lead the line after his ferocious start to life at Stamford Bridge. Guiu's return potentially indicates that the 19-year-old will deputise for Pedro, with Jackson as the third-choice No.9.