Enzo Maresca Receives Support from Chelsea Leadership After Qarabag Draw
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made significant changes for the Champions League match against Qarabag, which ended in a draw on Wednesday night. Despite opening the scoring, Chelsea fell behind before Alejandro Garnacho equalised in the second half.
Squad Rotation Strategy Endorsed
Maresca has implemented a rotation policy, making seven or more changes to his starting lineup in five consecutive matches, including the recent draw. This approach is supported by Chelsea's hierarchy, including owners, board members, sporting directors, and coaching staff.
Season Rotation Statistics
- Chelsea have made 85 changes so far this season, 16 more than Liverpool.
- Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, have rotated 67 players—the third-highest total.
- Some rotations are due to injuries or suspensions; others are tactical choices by Maresca.
Reasoning Behind Frequent Changes
The club believes that regularly refreshing the starting eleven is essential to manage the demanding fixture schedule effectively. After the international break, Chelsea face a challenging run of 11 matches across all competitions within just four and a half weeks before the end of 2025.
"Freshening up the starting XI is a necessity when combating the packed fixture schedule."
Author's summary: Chelsea's leadership supports Enzo Maresca's rotation policy as crucial for handling a congested schedule, despite the recent Qarabag draw.