Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca emphasized the importance of managing his squad carefully as the team prepares for a challenging schedule. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League clash against Astana in Kazakhstan, Maresca acknowledged the logistical difficulties of the 6,000-mile round trip and suggested it would be unreasonable to expect players involved in that match to also face Brentford in the Premier League just days later.
Despite the tight schedule, he hinted at the possibility of calling on players from the Astana fixture if absolutely necessary for Sunday’s game.
The Italian coach has made excellent use of Chelsea’s extensive squad in his first season at Stamford Bridge, rotating players effectively to compete on multiple fronts. His approach has helped Chelsea maintain second place in the Premier League standings, trailing Liverpool, while also securing early qualification for the Europa Conference League knockout stages with a flawless record.
This success allows Maresca to focus on balancing the squad and providing opportunities to younger talents in less demanding matches.
For Thursday's match, Maresca plans to give promising youngsters, including teenage defender Josh Acheampong, a chance to feature, while most of Chelsea’s regular starters remain in London to recover for domestic fixtures.
The Conference League has also served as a platform to offer established players like Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix much-needed game time, particularly when they face limited opportunities in the Premier League. This strategy helps keep all players engaged and prepared for the season's demands.
Maresca highlighted his broader goal of ensuring that every squad member gets consistent playing time, regardless of the competition. He noted that many of those set to play against Astana had also participated in last week’s Premier League game against Southampton.
By maintaining a steady rotation and prioritizing 90-minute appearances for his players, Maresca aims to sustain match fitness across the squad while navigating the demands of Chelsea’s busy schedule.
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