A ‘professional’ blues show pleases Maresca

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was pleased with his team’s performance as the 5-1 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers completed a perfect Conference League group stage for the favourites.

Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick in the first half as Chelsea secured first place, meaning they will not play in the competition again until March.

Joining Chelsea in the top eight qualifiers for the round of 16 are Vitoria, Fiorentina, Rapid Vienna, Djurgarden, Lugano, Legia Warsaw and Cercle Brugge.

Maresca said: “I am very happy with the performances and the results. In these types of games it is easy not to. They showed how professional they are and this is the right way.

“Since we started we have tried to share minutes; tonight was for young players.

“Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George are still very young, but we are very happy with them.”

“Marc is not happy”

Guiu took advantage of two defensive errors to score before a good header allowed him to achieve the hat trick and move to the top of the competition’s scoring table.

18-year-old Marc Guiu scores a first-half hat-trick as he heads home to give Chelsea a 4-1 lead 😮‍💨

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qYWeqUgbIn

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 19, 2024

The 18-year-old has six goals in the Conference League, but has only appeared as a substitute in the Premier League so far.

Maresca said: “Marc is a bit unhappy because Nicolas (Jackson) and Christopher (Nkunku) are doing well.

“When you are a nine and another nine is doing well, it is a matter of being questioned. It is important that they work hard day by day and then they will have a chance.

“In January we don’t want to sell players, but the players who don’t play much will be a bit unhappy.

“It depends on what happens in January and then we will decide.”