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Wayne Rooney has suggested that Enzo Maresca's constant team changes could come back to bite the Chelsea boss, and it may not be going down too well within the Blues camp
Five Chelsea players have reportedly voiced frustration over Enzo Maresca's team selections, following his fifth consecutive matchday shuffle across all competitions. And Wayne Rooney has weighed in on the situation, encouraging some stars to challenge the manager.
On Wednesday, Maresca made seven changes to his starting XI for the Champions League match against Qarabag, with key midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo among those who started on the bench. "The [selection] is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one," explained Maresca afterwards.
The game, which ended 2-2, marked the fifth consecutive match in which Maresca made at least seven changes to his team. "The players want to play, they want to build relationships," the Manchester United icon said on the Wayne Rooney Show.
"When you keep chopping and changing then the players won't be happy. I think that will come back to bite them. If they are getting results all the time then you can't question it but if they're not, there has to be questions asked.
"I think most clubs now have a leadership group and as a group you have to go and question the manager.
"You hear people talk about 'player power' but this isn't player power. I'd be concerned if the team kept changing.
"If I was in that [leadership] group I'd be speaking to my team-mates saying 'Look, I'm not happy with this'."
The Athletic has supported Rooney's claims, reporting that concerned players voiced their frustrations to Reece James and other members of the leadership group.
That group reportedly includes Fernandez, Caicedo, James, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.
Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is also said to be part of the group, despite not featuring in nearly four years and having made just one appearance for Chelsea.
In response, James is said to have organised a team meal in an effort to lift morale.
The Blues are back in Premier League action on Saturday evening when they host rock-bottom Wolves at Stamford Bridge (8pm kick-off).
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