Overview
- Club leadership has given full support to the selection strategy as part of a longer-term, data-informed plan, according to multiple reports.
- Chelsea have made 85 starting‑XI changes across 16 matches, with at least seven changes in each of the past five games.
- Enzo Maresca said the modern game’s physical demands and the Club World Cup schedule make it “impossible” to use the same group across a 65‑match season.
- Wayne Rooney called on the leadership group led by Reece James to question the constant changes, and reports say some senior players have voiced concerns to team leaders.
- The Qarabag draw included errors by Jorrel Hato as Estêvão and Alejandro Garnacho scored for Chelsea, with Maresca noting Romeo Lavia is injured and Pedro Neto is being assessed after work with the physio.