Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu ‘can go all the way’, insists Joe Cole after his first-half hat-trick as former Blues star insists ‘Barcelona have made a real mistake’ letting him go

Joe Cole heaped praise on Chelsea starlet Marc Guiu after he netted a first-half hat-trick in the club’s 5-1 thrashing of Shamrock Rovers.

After defeating Brentford on Sunday to move within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, Enzo Maresca opted to field a rotated side for the Europa Conference League clash.

Among those to benefit was Guiu, who started up front and duly gave his side the lead on 22 minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to head the Blues in front.

The visitors managed to get back on level terms through Markus Poom but Guiu struck twice more in the first half as Chelsea maintained their perfect record in the competition to top the Conference League league phase.

Speaking following the game Cole questioned why Barcelona allowed the teenager to make the move to Stamford Bridge.

‘My thought with Mark Guiu is, how did Barcelona let him go?’ Cole questioned on TNT Sports.

The 18-year-old netted a first-half hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed Shamrock Rovers

Despite his form, Enzo Maresca has only handed him one league appearance – a cameo against Man City in August

‘When I watch him play, and he’s 18 years of age, this kid, in two years time could be an established, unbelievable No 9. 

‘I think he could go go all the way, because I watch him and and all the things that you can’t teach he’s already got. 

‘He knows when to go in the box, his instincts, his aggression, he’s brave. 

‘He can brush up on all the other things in his game. And at 18, he’s playing with a smile on his face, you know, I think Barcelona made a real, real mistake there.’

After emerging from the Catalan club’s famed La Masia academy, Guiu made his first-team debut for Barcelona last season and netted on his LaLiga debut against Athletic Bilbao.

In July Chelsea triggered his £5million release clause to bring the 18-year-old to Stamford Bridge on a five-year deal with the option of an additional year.

However, despite having now scored six goals in Europe, Guiu has been limited to a single league appearance this season, coming on as a substitute in a opening weekend defeat by Manchester City.

Since then the Spain youth international has often struggled to even find a place on the bench in the Premier League.

Guiu is a product of Barcelona’s academy, and netted on his debut for the senior Blaugrana

Cole added that Barcelona made a ‘real mistake’ in allowing Guiu to leave the club this summer

The Spain youth international joined Chelsea for just £5m after his release clause was triggered

Cole added that Guiu could benefit from getting more experience away from west London to continue his development.

‘He’s almost in a catch 22,’ he added.

‘He probably could do with going somewhere and getting 20 games in the Premier League, and he’ll be a better player. 

‘But you wouldn’t want to leave him and let him go out the door at this club, because I think he’ll have a say in the second half of the season.’