EFL rule change means Chelsea star is eligible to face Lincoln after late call

Marc Guiu is eligible to play for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this season, despite already featuring in the competition for Sunderland during his very brief loan move. The young forward will not feature for the Blues against Lincoln, however, despite having new rules clarified by the Football League hours before kick-off.

The previous assumption had been that the 19-year-old was cup-tied after playing for the Black Cats and scoring against Huddersfield Town in the previous round. Chelsea recalled Guiu from his loan spell with Sunderland after a matter of weeks after Liam Delap picked up a hamstring injury last month.

Guiu has yet to feature since making his return to Stamford Bridge but will be at Enzo Maresca's disposal should they prevail over Lincoln this evening. Following the introduction of a new rule, players are now permitted to feature for two clubs in the EFL Cup in the same season.

The former Barcelona youth product made his return to west London at a time recognised as appropriate to allow him to record an appearance for a second club. The EFL has acknowledged his return to Chelsea as his one permitted move, per the BBC, with Sunderland recognised as the parent club in this scenario, as he first played for them in the competition.

Rule 6.4 of the EFL Cup allows for registered players to compete for two clubs in the competition should they meet the correct criteria. Three areas are assessed:

• Has represented his parent club in the competition before the closure of the summer transfer window and subsequently moved to a different club prior to the end of that transfer window.

• Has appeared for his parent club in the competition before the closure of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi-final, and has subsequently moved to a different club before the closure of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi-final.

• A player joins on an emergency goalkeeper loan.

While Guiu has not made the trip to the LNER stadium, young striking prospect Shim Mheuka has made the journey with Chelsea's first team. Joao Pedro has been the Blues' most utilised option so far this season, with winger Tyrique George even being forced to lead the line on occasion following Delap's injury.

Mheuka has already scored seven goals in six appearances this term. The 17-year-old has scored five times in Premier League 2 and a goal in the UEFA Youth League against Bayern Munich and in the EFL Trophy against Shrewsbury.

Chelsea will hope to avoid the fate of seven other Premier League teams this season. Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Leeds, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and West Ham have all been knocked out already.

Maresca's men will be forced into an outcome this evening, with any stalemate after 90 minutes going immediately to penalties.

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