Wayne Rooney has urged Chelsea’s senior players to raise concerns over Enzo Maresca’s heavy rotation policy. The former Manchester United captain said the frequent changes are harming cohesion and that experienced squad members, including captain Reece James, should question selection decisions when necessary.
Maresca made seven alterations to his starting lineup for Chelsea’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag, the fifth straight match in which he made at least seven changes. Rooney said on his podcast that constant chopping and changing prevents players from building relationships and from finding consistent form. He added that rotation can be tolerated when results are positive, but becomes a problem if performances dip.
Rooney argued this is a matter for the club’s leadership group rather than a demonstration of player power. He said senior players must speak up among themselves and to the manager if they feel selection patterns are damaging morale and team unity.
Chelsea have made 85 starting XI changes in 16 matches this season, by far the most in the Premier League. Maresca defended his approach after the Qarabag game, explaining the need to rest key players such as Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto, and pointing to the congested schedule and the Club World Cup as reasons for rotating the squad. He added that rotation only attracts attention when results are poor.
Separately on his show, Rooney reflected on earlier criticism of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. In October Rooney suggested Van Dijk had eased off after signing a new contract and raised concerns about his body language and leadership. Van Dijk later described that critique as lazy. Rooney said he may have been a little harsh, admitting he does not know Van Dijk personally, and that his wording could have been unfair.
However, Rooney stood by his assessment of Van Dijk’s performances this season, saying his comments were based on what he had observed on the pitch. He suggested that Van Dijk himself would judge his season against the high standards he has set and likely acknowledge when his displays have fallen short.
