Maresca Defends Rotation Policy Amidst Rooney’s Criticism

omidbasir- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed criticisms from former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney regarding his rotation policy. After making seven changes to the lineup that secured a 1-0 victory against Tottenham for the Champions League fixture against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, Chelsea faced difficulties, trailing 2-1 at halftime before managing a comeback to earn a 2-2 draw.

Rooney expressed concerns about Maresca’s frequent lineup changes during his show, highlighting that players thrive on consistency and relationship-building. He remarked, “When you keep chopping and changing, then the players won’t be happy. I think that will come back to bite them. If they are getting results all the time then you can’t question it, but if they’re not, there has to be questions asked.”

As Chelsea prepares to face winless Wolves in their final match before the international break, the pressure mounts, and a disappointing result could intensify scrutiny on Maresca’s decisions. However, during the pre-match press conference, Maresca remained resolute in his approach, asserting that player rotation is essential for the overall health of the team. He stated, “We are in a moment, in an era, where anyone can say what they want. I completely respect [it]. I also said after the Qarabag game that, since I joined the club, it’s also my view to rotate players, and no one complained. The moment that you don’t win games, I can understand no one is agreeing.”

Maresca emphasized that the rotation involves talented young players like Andrey Santos and Jorrel Hato, which he believes is crucial for their development. He noted, “They are good, talented, young, and for sure, when they are young, you have to give them the chance to make some mistakes to be better.”

Currently, Chelsea sits seventh in a tightly contested Premier League table, with only four points separating Manchester City in second from Aston Villa in eleventh. With two wins, a draw, and a defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Chelsea ranks 12th in league standings, sharing points with Barcelona, whom they will face on November 25.

Maresca has already overseen 16 games this season and, given the demanding schedule ahead, he reiterated the necessity of rotation, stating, “I think football at this moment is a bit different than previous years in terms of physicality and intensity. For me personally, it is impossible to play with the same players 65 games in the same season. This is my personal view, and you need to do that if you see a season like a marathon.” He urged that a long-term perspective is essential as the season progresses.