Chelsea have given their full backing to head coach Enzo Maresca following criticism of his team selection in Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag.
The Italian made seven changes for the trip to Azerbaijan, prompting questions after his side dropped points. However, club sources insist there is complete support for Maresca’s rotation and workload management policy, which aligns with the leadership’s long-term vision.
Chelsea’s hierarchy believe regular squad rotation is vital to keeping players fit across a demanding season that includes four major competitions. The club, hit by injuries to Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Benoît Badiashile, understood Maresca’s decision to rest key midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, both managing minor knocks.
A disrupted start — with Roméo Lavia forced off after eight minutes — forced Maresca to adjust his plan, but the club sees no issue with his approach. “There’s a shared understanding that this strategy will pay off later in the season,” one insider said.
Chelsea’s rotation has already kept captain Reece James healthy and is being applied carefully to players like Wesley Fofana and Lavia. The club views Maresca’s commitment to long-term squad fitness over short-term results as a sign of alignment with their sporting model.
While results have varied — including a draw with Brentford and wins over Ajax, Lincoln, and Wolves after heavy changes — Chelsea remain confident that Maresca’s methodical approach will yield rewards when it matters most.
