In the quaint training ground of Chelsea FC, nestled amidst the verdant hills of Cobham, a heartwarming scene unfolded as Marc Guiu, the club’s newest signing, sat with his grandfather, Manel.In the quaint training ground of Chelsea FC, nestled amidst the verdant hills of Cobham, a heartwarming scene unfolded as Marc Guiu, the club’s newest signing, sat with his grandfather, Manel. Their bond was undeniable, etched into their every glance and gesture. Marc spoke with profound gratitude, acknowledging the unwavering support and inspiration Manel had provided throughout his footballing journey. Manel’s eyes glistened with pride as he recalled Marc’s childhood dreams and the unwavering belief they shared in his abilities. As they reminisced, the room seemed to fade away, replaced by a poignant tapestry woven with memories. Marc’s early days on the field, fervently chasing the ball under Manel’s watchful gaze, fueled an unquenchable thirst for greatness. Manel’s unwavering belief in his grandson’s potential instilled a determination that would guide Marc’s path to the echelons of football. Their conversation flowed seamlessly, a symphony of love, respect, and shared aspirations. Manel beamed as Marc recounted the years he spent honing his skills in the backyard, driven by the desire to fulfill both their dreams. In Marc’s triumphant arrival at Chelsea, they celebrated the culmination of their collective efforts. The bond between grandfather and grandson transcended mere kinship. Manel’s presence at Chelsea was not just as a proud supporter, but as a testament to the profound influence he had on Marc’s life. Their journey together had been one of unwavering support, unwavering belief, and mutual love. As they embraced, the room echoed with the unspoken words that communicated a deep and abiding connection. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, capturing the essence of their cherished bond and the unwavering dream they had both dared to pursue.
You don’t have to be able to speak Spanish or understand what is being said to feel the immense sense of pride between them. This was the dream. Both of their dreams.
As Chelsea’s new signing Marc Guiu sat next to his grandfather Manel at our training ground in Cobham, it didn’t take long for everyone else in the room to appreciate the special bond between them.
“I started playing football because of my grandfather, because of you,” Marc explained, turning to Manel. “You were a huge inspiration to me when I was a kid playing on the field all day long.”
“I appreciate that and all your sacrifices,” Manel replied.
‘You’ve come where you always said you would. Remember how you said, “Do you know where I’m going to play?” and I replied, ‘Where?’ and you said: ‘The Premier League’.
‘And lo and behold, you did it. Well done, Marc. Well done, son.’
The emotion is clearly visible as Manel starts to cry and Marc proudly strokes his leg several times before they embrace.
Manel continued: “For me it’s a dream come true. I had played a bit of football in my day and when I saw him play as a young boy, I don’t know why, I knew he would make it one day. And he did that.
“So what I couldn’t do because I retired very early (at 27), he did. So the excitement is huge…huge.”
Marc added: ‘I’ve always said that my grandfather is my inspiration to continue in football – that I am where I am because of him and that it’s all so that I can fulfil my dream and his too.
“So it’s really important that he’s here today because he’s been through all of this with me throughout my career so far.”
This past year has been a dream come true for Marc on so many levels.
After winning the golden boot at the Under-17 European Championship last summer, sharing it with Spanish rising star Lamine Yamal, the then 17-year-old became Barcelona’s youngest player to score on his debut in October when he played at 23- age the winner against Athletic Bilbao. seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Two months later, the striker scored his first goal in the Champions League and last season he played seven games in all competitions, two of them as a starter. The teenager became a regular in Xavi’s matchday squad.
Marc had already spent more than a decade at Barcelona’s famous youth academy, having joined at the age of seven. But as he honed his skills in the garden with his grandfather, the youngster already had his eye on England and the Premier League.
It is common to hear a new signing say: ‘I never imagined signing for a club like this when I was younger’. But that was not the case with Marc.
‘I’ve always imagined it (playing in the Premier League). The two of us always believed I could do it. We’d say I could make it,” Marc said.
Manel added: ‘I was convinced because he always said: ‘I want to play in the Premier League’ and I said you will get there but you have to make sacrifices. If we had to train an extra hour, we had to train an extra hour. And that’s what we did.’
Marc has been described by one of his former Barcelona coaches as ‘a pure striker, a classic number nine’. He is fast, powerful, strong in the air and really good at pressing.
His coaches are not only impressed on the field. They describe the 18-year-old as ‘a sensational boy’ whose commitment and dedication set an example for his teammates.
Manel said: “He is a ten (out of ten) as a footballer, but as a person he is a fifty. He is exceptional. He’s my grandson, but even if he wasn’t my grandson and I only knew him as a person, I’d say the same thing.
‘He’s fantastic; his character, everything. And as a footballer, well, you’ll see.
“He still has a lot to learn because he’s so young, but that’s because he’s already learned so much.”
The conversation between the two continued to be heartwarming and after another response, Manel turned to his grandson and simply said, “It’s been a dream come true so far, right?”
“Yes,” was the answer.
Manel grabbed Marc’s leg again as his pride was clearly visible and he became emotional again.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today because I wouldn’t have spent all my time on football,” Marc said. “All those times we played football, laughed and trained hard, that’s what kept me going.”
“We are two peas in a pod, the two of us,” Manel added.
The dream of signing for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League has already been achieved, but Marc has no plans to stop there.
The teenager hopes his goals can fire the Blues to the Premier League and Champions League titles and he wants to become the best centre-forward in the world during his time at Stamford Bridge (read more here).
“I think he will achieve this,” Manel said. “I know him well and there isn’t a goal he hasn’t achieved, and the proof is here, look where he is now.
‘But it doesn’t end here. It is that spirit of his that will take him all the way, perhaps further than we can even imagine.”
