Chelsea have made at least seven changes to their starting XI in their last five games, with manager Enzo Maresca facing criticism for his selection policy.
Five of Chelsea’s star players are reportedly unhappy with Enzo Maresca’s team selection after the midfielder carried out a matchday shuffle in five successive games across all competitions. Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney echoed the situation and urged some players to confront their managers.
Maresca made seven changes to his starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Qarabag, with key midfielders Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo relegated to the bench. Maresca justified it after the game by saying, “I always think that the plan with the players is the right one.”
With the 2-2 draw, Maresca made at least seven changes to his team for the fifth game in a row.
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Old Trafford icon Rooney expressed his concerns about Chelsea, telling the Wayne Rooney Show: “The players want to play and they want to build relationships. If you keep cutting and changing, the players won’t be happy.”
“I think that’s going to hurt them. If they’re consistently getting results, you can’t question it, but if they’re not, you have to question it.
“I think most clubs now have a leadership group, and as a group you have to go and ask questions of the manager. People talk about ‘player strength’, but this is not player strength. I would be worried if the team kept changing.”
“If I was in that (leadership) group, I would say to my teammates, ‘Listen, I’m not happy with this.’
The Athletic supports Rooney’s claims and reveals that concerned players have raised their concerns with Reece James and other leaders.
The group is said to include Fernandez, Caicedo, James, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.
Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is also reportedly part of this group, although he has not played in nearly four years and has only made one appearance for Chelsea.
In response, James reportedly prepared a team meal to lift their spirits.
The Blues are scheduled to return to Premier League action on Saturday night when they host bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 8pm).
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