Maresca defends controversial selection policy despite criticism from former pros | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca’s rotation policy has been a real talking point this week after a much changed team dropped points in the Champions League.

Lots of fans and pundits have shown frustration at the coach’s constant tinkering, and some of those criticisms (including from Wayne Rooney) were put to Maresca in his press conference today.

Maresca defends rotation policy after damaging draw against Qarabag

Enzo Maresca speaks in his pre-match press conference.

The Chelsea boss gave a pretty detailed case for why he thought it was essential to rotate like this:

“I think in this moment football is a bit different compared to years ago, in terms of physicality and intensity,” the former midfielder said.

“For me personally, it would be impossible to play with the same players 65 games in one season, Champions League, Premier League. And you cannot say, but why years ago it was possible? Because it was different. It was not so physical. I played for 20 years. It was not so physical. Now it’s changed.

“So you need to rotate. This is my personal view. And I think you need to do that. If you want to see a season like a marathon, then when you are in February, when you are in March, that is the last sprint, probably you have to think in a different way. But at the moment, I think you have to think like a long race.”

It will be a full strength team tomorrow, in any case.

In other news…

Maresca also spoke about Estevao and whether the Brazilian winger could be in line for a start tomorrow against Wolves.

In the same press conference, Maresca was asked about whether he thought his team had improved on last year, and whether he thought results had been as he expected so far. You can imagine his answer.