Wayne Rooney Critiques Enzo Maresca’s Team Selection Strategy at Chelsea

Enzo Maresca’s recent team selections have drawn attention, especially after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Qarabag in the Champions League. Maresca made seven changes to his starting lineup for that match. This decision continued a pattern, as he has altered his starting XI by at least seven players in each of the last five games.

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes this level of rotation may cause problems. Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, he explained that players need continuity to build chemistry on the pitch.

“Constant changes can create frustration,” Rooney said. “If results were consistently strong, it might not be questioned. But right now, these decisions deserve scrutiny.”

Rooney also suggested that Chelsea’s leadership group, including captain Reece James, should discuss the issue directly with Maresca.
He added:

“This isn’t about player power. It’s about working together for success. If I were in that dressing room, I would speak up about it.”

Statistics highlight the scale of the rotation. Chelsea have made 85 lineup changes in 16 matches this season — the most in the Premier League.

Maresca defended his strategy. He explained that the rotation is planned to manage fatigue, especially after the Club World Cup.

“We believe these decisions fit our plan,” Maresca said. “Players like Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, and Malo Gusto cannot play every three days. When the results are positive, no one questions it. When results dip, it becomes a topic.”

Meanwhile, Rooney reflected on his previous comments about Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk had described early-season criticism as “lazy.” Rooney acknowledged that his tone may have been strong, but he stood by his assessment of performance levels.

“Maybe I was harsh, because I don’t know him personally,” Rooney said. “But he holds himself to high standards, and the expectations are always big.”