Maresca defends rotation policy at Chelsea after Rooney criticism

LONDON :Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca defended his extensive rotation when picking starting lineups on Friday after former England striker Wayne Rooney criticised his team selections, with the Italian saying it was needed in a congested schedule.

Maresca has made 85 changes to his starting lineups across all competitions this season - more than any other Premier League club - as Chelsea fight on several fronts.

Rooney argued that the constant "chopping and changing" of the lineup would prevent players building relationships on the pitch, urging captain Reece James and senior players to challenge Maresca's approach.

"Football is a bit different compared to years ago in terms of physicality and intensity," Maresca told reporters ahead of Saturday's match at home to bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"For me personally, it's impossible to play with the same players for 65 games a season - Champions League, Premier League."

'YOU NEED TO ROTATE'

"I played for 20 years – it was not as physical and now it's changed. You need to rotate. This is my personal view," the much-travelled Italian manager added.

"I think you need to do that if you want to see a season like a marathon. Then, when you are in February and March, when it's the last sprint, you probably have to think in a different way. But at the moment, you have to think like a long race."

Maresca defended the quality of players he brings in and said he respected Rooney's opinion but suggested criticism of his rotation policy only emerged after they failed to beat Qarabag in the Champions League this week.

"I think that when the rotation is Andrey Santos - Brazil international player, Jorrel Hato - Holland international player, Estevao - Brazil international player, it's not about