Chelsea down Wolves to ease criticism of Maresca’s rotation policy

LONDON: Chelsea quelled criticism of Enzo Maresca’s rotation policy with a 3-0 win against Wolves featuring the first goal of Malo Gusto’s career on Saturday.
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney said Chelsea’s senior players should “question” Maresca’s selections after the Italian made seven changes for a 2-2 draw against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Having defended himself from Rooney’s jibe by insisting the physical demands on players are greater than ever, Maresca made eight changes at Stamford Bridge.
It was the sixth consecutive match that Maresca had made seven or more alterations and the move paid off with a strong second half performance that lifted Chelsea into second place in the Premier League.
French defender Gusto, who arrived from Lyon in 2023, put Chelsea ahead after the interval with his maiden professional goal.
Joao Pedro doubled the lead and Pedro Neto wrapped up Chelsea’s fourth win in their last five league games as they closed within six points of leaders Arsenal.
Although they will drop out of second place after Manchester City face Liverpool on Sunday, Maresca will be relieved to silence his critics heading into the international break.
Bottom-of-the-table Wolves, led by academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker after Vitor Pereira’s sacking last weekend, are eight points from safety following their ninth defeat in 11 league games.
Middlesbrough have granted their manager Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves over the job after agreeing a compensation deal on Saturday.
Chelsea only arrived home in London at six o’clock on Thursday morning after their long flight back from Baku and, despite Maresca’s switches, they looked jet-lagged in the