Maresca Says He Will Rotate Chelsea Squad to Protect Players
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that he will continue to rotate his squad to ensure players remain fit and healthy throughout the season. With Chelsea competing in the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup, and other competitions, Maresca said rotation is not just a tactic but an essential approach to prevent fatigue and injuries. He explained that keeping the same starting lineup repeatedly can harm players physically as the season progresses.
Chelsea are preparing for their League Cup fourth-round match against Wolves on Wednesday. The fixture comes shortly after their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League. The loss was a setback, and the team is now hoping to regain momentum. Maresca made it clear that changes will be made for the Wolves game, although he has not confirmed how many players will be rested or introduced. The focus, he said, is on maintaining freshness and balance within the squad.
The manager highlighted the advantage of having a deep squad, noting that Chelsea can make several changes while still fielding strong and competitive lineups. Just last week, he made ten changes in the Champions League match against Ajax. Despite the heavy rotation, Chelsea won 5-1, proving that the squad has enough depth to perform well across competitions.
Maresca explained that the demands of the football calendar require careful planning. Training schedules, match recovery sessions, and fitness assessments all play a role in deciding who starts and who rests. The goal is to avoid situations where key players are forced to play through fatigue, which increases the risk of injuries and dips in performance.
One of the positive updates for Chelsea is the possible return of striker Liam Delap, who joined from Ipswich. Delap has been sidelined since August due to a hamstring injury. The manager confirmed that he completed full training with no issues and is now available for selection. However, Maresca stressed that Delap will not play the full 90 minutes. The coaching staff will ease him back gradually to ensure he gains match sharpness safely.
Maresca said that the team is looking at the long-term picture, not just one or two matches. He wants every player to be ready to contribute at different points in the season. This approach allows the squad to manage the physical demands of travelling, training, and facing strong opponents both domestically and in Europe.
He also noted that rotation helps maintain healthy competition within the squad. Players know they will get opportunities to prove themselves, which keeps motivation high. This encourages strong performances in training and ensures that no player becomes complacent or overworked.
Maresca believes this strategic rotation gives Chelsea the best chance to compete strongly on all fronts. The club aims to perform consistently across competitions, and protecting the players’ fitness is central to achieving that goal. As the season progresses, the success of this approach will be seen in how well Chelsea sustains performance levels while minimizing injuries and fatigue.
