Devastating blow for Chelsea as key player sustains serious injury in training ahead of Brighton clash after impressive 8/10 performance against West Ham.

Chelsea triumphed 2-1 over West Ham on Monday, but the victory came with a major setback as striker Marc Guiu could have suffered a serious injury. The young forward’s possible prolonged absence poses a challenge for manager Enzo Maresca, particularly with important fixtures against Brighton in both the FA Cup and Premier League on the horizon.

Guiu is thought to have sustained an abductor injury, which could keep him out for a long period. Although the club is still awaiting confirmation of the injury’s severity, early signs suggest it may not be a minor issue. Maresca voiced his concerns, commenting, “Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury. Could be long-term, yeah. We are still waiting, but it doesn’t look like a short injury. Probably weeks or months.”

The injury woes for Chelsea worsened when another key forward, Nicolas Jackson, also suffered a fitness problem during the same match. Jackson’s injury, however, is believed to be less severe, with early signs indicating a potential hamstring issue. His participation in the upcoming FA Cup match is still uncertain, though Maresca provided a more positive update. “Nico is better,” the Chelsea manager said. “He could play this weekend, but it could be a risk. We’ll see. It doesn’t look like a long injury.”

Marc Guiu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona last summer for £5 million, signed a five-year deal with the club. Though his playing time has been limited this season, Maresca has been pleased with his progress, praising the young striker’s work ethic and development. Earlier this month, Maresca spoke highly of the 18-year-old’s growth, stating, “Marc is improving a lot, to be honest. He is doing fantastic. Day after day, he is more ready for that kind of game.”

With Guiu potentially sidelined for an extended period and Jackson’s availability uncertain, Chelsea may have to rely on Christopher Nkunku to step up and lead the attack in their upcoming matches. The French forward, who has only just returned from an injury himself, might be asked to play a more central role as the team faces this challenging stretch. When asked about his attacking options, Maresca remained optimistic despite the setbacks. “Yes, absolutely,” he said. “Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc. Sometimes we also adapt Christo [Nkunku] there, but if both are out, we will find another solution.”

Nkunku, who has recently been linked with transfer moves, may now be expected to take on greater responsibility in Chelsea’s attack. Maresca recognized the forward’s potential to make an impact, saying, “For sure, for sure [Nkunku can play a bigger role]. He played more or less half an hour against West Ham. From now on, he can hopefully get more minutes and help us.”

With a packed schedule ahead, Chelsea will need to quickly find solutions as they aim to maintain their momentum in both domestic competitions. The possible loss of Guiu, coupled with uncertainty around Jackson, means Maresca may have to make tactical changes in the upcoming fixtures.