Soccer's full of decisions that, over time, can seem like successes or failures. This time, both Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta have had to acknowledge that they made a significant mistake by letting Marc Guiu leave Barcelona. The young Chelsea forward excelled in the Conference League with a hat trick in the 1-5 victory over Shamrock Rovers.
Guiu's Start at Chelsea
After going through Barcelona's youth ranks, Marc Guiu decided to join Chelsea, although he hasn't had much opportunity to play in the Premier League. Instead, his role in the Conference League has been much more prominent.
He's played in every match of the European tournament, showcasing his quality in each game. His opportunity came in the sixth matchday of the group stage, where they faced Shamrock Rovers. Guiu was a key player in the rout, scoring three goals that confirmed his talent.
The Hat Trick That Surprised Everyone
The three goals Guiu scored in that match were of different styles, which made his performance even more remarkable. In his first goal, he capitalized on a defensive error by the opponent. The second was similar, with Guiu taking advantage the Shamrock Rovers defense's indecision.
However, his third goal was an impeccable header, showing his ability to score in various ways. This feat allowed him to reach six goals in just six matches of the European competition, increasing the expectations for his future.
Criticism of Barcelona's Decision
Guiu's performance didn't go unnoticed and soon comments emerged about Barcelona's decision to let him go. On the TNT program, former Chelsea player Joe Cole expressed his surprise at the forward's departure. "This kid, in two years, could be a starting number nine," said Cole.
He even compared Guiu to Luis Suárez, which caused some criticism, but also highlighted the young player's potential. According to Cole, Barcelona made a mistake by not betting more on him.
Laporta and Flick's Regret
In light of Guiu's impressive performance, Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick have acknowledged they made a mistake. The Barcelona president publicly admitted that, had they known the level Guiu would reach, they would've made a different decision about his departure.
Additionally, Hansi Flick, former coach of the German national team, also reflected on the situation. He expressed that they didn't expect Guiu to have such a big impact in his first year away from Barça.