Chelsea remain firmly behind Enzo Maresca’s squad rotation and recruitment strategy after Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Qarabag, despite the result raising questions about his team selection.
The Italian made seven changes for the match in Baku, but club leadership view the approach as part of a long-term plan designed to keep players fresh across four competitions. With injuries to key figures like Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Benoît Badiashile, and others such as Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández carrying knocks, rotation is seen internally as essential rather than risky.
Maresca’s strategy was disrupted when Roméo Lavia suffered a thigh injury early on, forcing Caicedo into action. Still, the club sees his willingness to trust younger players—such as Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Jamie Gittens—as vital for long-term squad development.
Chelsea’s hierarchy, including Maresca’s close collaboration with the club’s five sporting directors, is said to fully endorse his management of workloads, particularly given the lack of a full pre-season and a demanding travel schedule.
While some inexperienced players struggled in Azerbaijan, Chelsea believe regular minutes are key to integrating them into Maresca’s system. His cautious handling of returning players like Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Lavia has also been praised internally for preventing further setbacks.
Though results have been mixed when Maresca rotates, with notable wins over Ajax, Lincoln, and Wolves offset by draws such as Brentford and Qarabag, the club insists patience remains central to their long-term project.
