Enzo Maresca immediately hits back at Wayne Rooney as Chelsea injury fear rubs salt in wound

Enzo Marescahas fired back at Wayne Rooney after the former Manchester United forward claimed that Chelsea's players should challenge the rotation policy at the club.

The Bluesentertain Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, looking to return to winning ways after Maresca made wholesale changes for the 2-2 midweek draw against Qarabag.

They went into the trip to Azerbaijan having won SIX games in seven across all competitions - a run of form that has seen them propel up the table in the top-flight, reach the Carabao Cup quarter-final and move into the Champions League top half.

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In his pre-Wolves press conference, Maresca was asked about Rooney's comments regarding rotation at Stamford Bridge, Romeo Lavia's injury latest blow, his side's start to the season, and much more.

So, with that in mind, football.london has taken a look at the best from the Italian's chat with the media on Friday.

Maresca hits back at Rooney

Enzo Maresca has defended his decision to make seven changes for Chelsea's trip to Qarabag on Wednesday, after Wayne Rooney said that making mass alternations could come back to haunt the Blues boss.

"The players want to play, they want to build relationships," Rooney said. "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."

Now, Maresca has provided a response to Rooney, saying: "I said already many times: we are in an era when anyone can say what they want. I said after the Qarabag game: since I joined the club, it is also my view to rotate players.

"When you don't win games, nobody agrees. When it's Andrey Santos, Brazil international, Jorrel Hato, Netherlands international, Joao Pedro, Brazil international - it's not about rotation. They are young, you have to give them the chances to make mistakes so they can become better."

Lavia fitness

Enzo Maresca has provided an update on Romeo Lavia after the Belgian sustained an injury during the first five minutes of Wednesday's draw against Qarabag.

"We don't have an update at the moment," Maresca said. "We need to wait some hours for all of the checks he needs. At the moment, he is injured. He is in pain - we need to do all the checks."

He added: "It's a shame. It's a shame in this moment because we were trying to minimise minutes for him but even with that, he's injured again. We need to insist until we find the right solution."

When asked if injuries to Lavia and Dario Essugo is impacting Moises Caicedo's chances of having a rest, Maresca continued: "Absolutely, yes. We have Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Joao Pedro; they are all players not training every day because of issues. Moi was on the pitch inside five minutes the other day. We have used Andrey Santos as a No.6, Reece can play as a No.6 and Josh as a No.6 too."

Assessing the season so far

Enzo Maresca has claimed that the expectation around Chelsea has changed compared to last season, as he assessed the Blues' start to the 2025/26 campaign. In total, they have won nine, drew three and lost four of their 16 matches across all competitions.

"We try to win all the games," Maresca said. "This season, the expectation has raised around the team. The big difference from this season and last season is the expectation around the team.

"The numbers are there and we probably can be better last season. I said many times: I don't like to think where we can be in April, May, June; I like to think if we can win tomorrow. Then we have the international break, and then we will go again."