Chelsea have made clear they remain fully supportive of Enzo Maresca’s rotation and recruitment strategy despite Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag.
The head coach made seven changes for the trip to Azerbaijan, prompting questions about his team selection. However, club leadership believes Maresca’s approach is a measured, long-term plan designed to keep players fresh across four competitions.
Chelsea view their deep squad as a strength and insist there is no frustration over the result or the lineup. The club recognises that injuries to Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile limited options, while key midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández were nursing knocks and initially rested before Caicedo was brought on early following Roméo Lavia’s injury.
The demanding 5,000-mile round trip to Baku added to the challenge, though Chelsea maintain the fixture was treated seriously. Experienced figures like Reece James, Marc Cucurella, João Pedro, and Robert Sánchez all started, while younger players such as Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Jamie Gittens were withdrawn at half-time after struggling to adapt.
Internally, there is a belief that these players will only grow by being trusted with minutes. Maresca’s coordination with Chelsea’s five sporting directors has ensured his rotation system aligns with the club’s long-term strategy.
The club values patience and player development over short-term results. Maresca’s careful management of fitness — notably with James, Wesley Fofana, and Lavia — is seen as essential for sustained success.
While mixed results have followed his squad changes, including a draw with Brentford but victories over Ajax, Lincoln, and Wolves, Chelsea are convinced Maresca’s policy will pay off over the course of the season.
