Maresca has also used a different centre-back pairing in each of Chelsea’s last 10 matches in all competitions, and is believed to be confident the club will benefit from a rotation strategy both domestically and in Europe by the end of the season.
Chelsea’s owner, board, sporting director and coaching staff all agree that a shake-up of the starting XI is essential to cope with a congested fixture schedule.
When the Blues return from their international break, they will face a tough 11 games across all competitions in just four-and-a-half weeks until the end of 2025.
Maresca, who won both the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup in his first year at Stamford Bridge, feels no internal pressure. The club remains confident that he will achieve further success in west London.
A year ago, Chelsea’s head coach announced that captain Reece James would be unavailable for two games a week due to his injury history, which included undergoing hamstring surgery.
However, Maresca has meticulously managed the right-back’s fitness and conditioning and the England international is now back to his best form and has proven to be one of the Blues’ most reliable performers this season.
Some of the club’s summer recruits, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Jorel Hato, are still adjusting to their surroundings, but both wingers have shown signs of settling in in recent weeks after scoring their first goals for the club.
Midfielder Andrei Santos has also been tipped as a potential player at Chelsea after an impressive loan spell at Strasbourg, with the Blues rejecting several offers in the transfer window.
It is often overlooked that Chelsea have also had to cope without star player Cole Palmer, who has been suffering from a groin problem since the start of the season. There is now hope that he is inching closer to a return.
