Marc Guiu identifies 'Pep Guardiola influence' on Enzo Maresca as striker insists he doesn't regret choosing Chelsea's 'incredible project' over Barcelona

Despite making a dream start to his senior career at Barcelona, the 19-year-old opted to leave his boyhood club for Chelsea last year. The striker was loaned to Sunderland this year but was soon recalled to provide cover after Liam Delap's injury. That means Guiu could feature against his former team when the two sides meet in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge in November.

Guiu's decision to leave Barcelona was a bold one for a young player from the club's prestigious La Masia academy. Despite scoring on his La Liga debut and his second Champions League appearance to increase the hype around him, Guiu explained that with a host of other forwards in the squad, his chances for a first-team contract were not guaranteed. He instead found a clear pathway at Chelsea under Maresca. This move was a calculated risk for Guiu, who joined a club known for acquiring young talent but also for having a large, competitive squad. Eventually, the move paid off as the English club won the Conference League and the Club World Cup last year.

In an interview with RAC1, Guiu opened up about his move and his future, saying: "I don't regret leaving Barca. I left because I thought it was the best thing for my career, and now I have to enjoy the Premier League. It was a difficult decision; Barca gave me everything; it was my home. There were a lot of strikers, and I wasn't guaranteed a first-team contract, so I think I made the best choice. Maresca called me and told me she believed in me and the sporting project was incredible."

Speaking on why he chose to come back to Chelsea after just securing a loan move to Sunderland this summer, he said: "This summer we spoke with Chelsea because I wanted to get playing time. I arrived at Sunderland with great enthusiasm; the fans were incredible, some of the best I've ever seen. I was very comfortable, but after Liam Delap's injury, they asked me to come back. I'm a Chelsea player and that's where I'm going."

When asked about facing his old club Barca in the Champions League, the striker said: "It will be a special match, the match of my life. I hope I get some minutes. The key to Chelsea is unity and the coach's work. He works very well tactically, the training sessions are intense. He's certainly influenced by Guardiola; the training sessions are very similar to Barca's, with a lot of ball-playing and positional play. I've already told [Pau] Cubarsí that I'll be killing it, although I wouldn't celebrate a goal."

Guiu now has a clear opportunity to showcase his talent on the biggest stage. The young striker will now focus on earning minutes in a highly competitive squad and proving that his decision to leave Blaugrana was the correct one for his career. The upcoming match against Barcelona on November 26 is not only an emotional reunion but also a chance for Guiu to show his former club what they have lost.