Pipe down Wayne! Maresca dismisses Rooney criticism and says Chelsea rotation is necessary
The Italian had no time for Rooney's remarks
Enzo Maresca says his policy of rotating his Chelsea squad is always highlighted when results don’t go their way, following criticism from Wayne Rooney earlier this week.
Maresca made seven changes for the 2-2 draw at Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday night. It was the fifth consecutive match across all competitions that he has made at least seven changes to his starting XI.
Rooney said that constant swapping in and out of players does little to build connections and could ultimately prove their downfall this season.
“The players want to play, they want to build relationships,” the former England captain said on the Wayne Rooney Show.
“When you keep chopping and changing then the players won’t be happy. I think that will come back to bite them.
“If they are getting results all the time then you can’t question it but if they’re not, there has to be questions asked.”
When you don’t win, the problem is rotation – Maresca
Rooney’s remarks were put to Maresca ahead of tomorrow night’s game at home to Wolves but the Italian hinted he felt it was a cheap shot and was also quick to highlight the quality of the players he had at his disposal.
“We are in a moment, in an era, where anyone can say what they want. I completely respect [that],” said the Italian, who led Chelsea to the Club World Cup title in the summer.
“I also said after the Qarabag game that, since I joined the club, it’s also my view to rotate players, and no-one complained. The moment that you don’t win games, I can understand no-one is agreeing.
“I think that when the rotation is Andrey Santos – Brazil international player, Jorrel Hato – Holland international player, Willian Estevao – Brazil international player, it’s not about rotation.
“They are good, talented, young, and for sure, when they are young, you have to give them the chance to make some mistakes to be better.
The season is a marathon
“The same thing I think happened in the past with Josh Acheampong, but I understand that when you don’t win games, the problem is rotation and all different things.”
He added: “I think football at this moment is a bit different than previous years in terms of physicality and intensity. For me personally, it is impossible to play with the same players 65 games in the same season.
“Years before, it wasn’t this physical; I played, and now it has changed. So you need to rotate.
“This is my personal view, and you need to do that if you see a season like a marathon. And then when you are in February or March, then probably we have to think in a different way.
“But at the moment, I think you have to think like a long race.”