Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea rotation explained as fixture congestion bites

Why Chelsea’s schedule has pushed Maresca into extreme rotation

Chelsea and Manchester City entered the 2025–26 campaign at an immediate disadvantage after their participation in the Club World Cup in the United States. The summer tournament cut sharply into their off-season, leaving players with insufficient recovery time before the competitive calendar restarted. The effects have been clear: increased fatigue, disrupted rhythm and a series of injury concerns affecting key members of the squad.

Maresca’s decision to rest Moisés Caicedo and Estevão Willian before bringing them back against Barcelona was less about experimentation and more about survival. Chelsea are battling to climb into the Champions League’s automatic qualification places — a goal their midweek victory helped achieve — but the fixture congestion remains unforgiving.

According to The Telegraph, clubs involved in the Champions League could face up to 32 matches before the end of March if they are forced into a play-off round. For a team competing on all fronts, even two additional games during this period can become overwhelming.

Injuries are forcing Chelsea to keep rotating heavily

With League Cup progress, a Premier League title challenge and Champions League commitments, Chelsea are navigating one of the busiest calendars in Europe. The upcoming weeks will only intensify that pressure, and Maresca is expected to continue rotating heavily as the squad absorbs the strain.

The Blues remain without Levi Colwill for most of the season, a significant blow given his importance in Maresca’s defensive structure. But there is a much-needed boost on the horizon: Cole Palmer has returned to training. Although he missed the Barcelona clash, he could feature in the crucial upcoming match against Arsenal — a timely lift as Chelsea look to stay competitive on all four fronts.