Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended his frequent squad rotation after facing criticism from Wayne Rooney, who claimed the approach was disrupting team chemistry.
The Italian made seven changes for Wednesday’s disappointing 2-2 Champions League draw against Qarabag in Baku—the fifth consecutive match in which Chelsea have made at least that many alterations. So far this season, the Blues have made 85 changes to their starting line-ups in all competitions, more than any other Premier League side. Liverpool are next with 69.
Rooney questioned on his BBC Sport show whether players can build strong relationships when the team sheet changes so often. But Maresca remained firm ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Wolves, arguing that modern football demands more rotation due to increased physical demands.
“We are in an era where anyone can say what they want,” Maresca said on Friday. “Since I joined the club, it’s my view to rotate players. No one complains when you win. When you don’t win, I can understand no one is agreeing.
“I loved rotation as a player. Football is a bit different compared to years ago in terms of physicality and intensity. It’s impossible to play with the same players 65 games in one season. You cannot say, ‘Why, years ago, was it possible?’ Because it was different. It was not so physical. You need to rotate.
“If you want to see the season like a marathon—when you are in February and March, the last sprint—you have to think in a different way. But it’s a long race.”
Maresca also addressed criticism of his defensive changes in Baku, where 19-year-old Jorrel Hato was at fault for both goals conceded.
“When the rotation is Andrey Santos, a Brazil international, and Jorrel Hato, Holland international, and Estevao, Brazil international, then it’s not about rotation,” he said. “They are talented, they are young. When they are young you have to give them chance to make mistakes. But when you don’t win games, the problem is rotation.”
Chelsea currently sit seventh in the Premier League ahead of their trip to face managerless Wolves at Molineux.
What you should know
Enzo Maresca, who took charge of Chelsea in 2024, strongly believes in rotating players to handle the physical demands of modern football.
Despite criticism from Wayne Rooney and others, Maresca maintains that consistent rotation helps keep the squad fresh, competitive, and prepared for the long season ahead.
