Chelsea have reaffirmed their full support for Enzo Maresca’s rotation and recruitment strategy after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League, despite criticism of the Italian’s decision to make seven changes to his starting XI.
Club sources insist there is no internal concern over Maresca’s approach, viewing his squad management as a long-term plan designed to preserve fitness and maintain competitiveness across four major competitions. Chelsea believe regular rotation is essential, particularly after a shortened pre-season and a mounting injury list that includes Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Benoît Badiashile.
Maresca started Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández on the bench to manage workloads, but both were called upon early after Roméo Lavia went off injured. The 5,000-mile trip to Azerbaijan also complicated preparation, though Chelsea maintained their commitment to the fixture and fielded a blend of experience and youth, including Reece James, João Pedro, and Robert Sánchez.
While young players like Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Jamie Gittens struggled at times, Chelsea’s leadership remains convinced that giving them minutes is vital for long-term development. Maresca continues to work closely with the club’s five sporting directors to balance short-term performance with squad sustainability.
The manager’s careful rotation, which has helped keep captain Reece James injury-free, is seen as integral to the club’s strategy. “Patience in victory and defeat” remains the message from Stamford Bridge, with Maresca expected to persist with his policy as Chelsea prepare to face Wolves this weekend.
