Literally and figuratively, you never know who Chelsea will be back with.
Chelsea have gone from negative to positive throughout the campaign, playing well against the bigger teams but often not as well against so-called lesser opposition.
In big games, the likes of Moses Caiceo, Enzo Fernandez, and Garnacho often start.
However, Maresca managed the fitness of all three of those players, as he did with returning striker Liam Delap. Besides, key players like Cole Palmer and Levi Col wolpured.
There are additional factors contributing to the extreme nature of Maresca’s rotation, given that Chelsea survived the 13-month season last year, due to winning the Club World Cup in July, which also shortened the pre-season to less than two weeks.
The Italian added: “We have players, the objective tonight is to rest enzo [Fernandez]to rest the Moses [Caicedo]to rest the Mal [Gusto]to rest many players, because they are not able to play every three days.
“They need to recover from last season, as you said, the Club World Cup affected a lot. We tried to rotate when everyone suffered.
“I know that if we don’t win, everyone is focused on that and now I think it’s important to recover the energy for Saturday and come back.
However rivals such as Spurs and Arsenal have made a few rotations in the last few weeks, in back-to-back matches, which are certainly designed despite the different recent fortunes of the two London clubs.
Maresca was not helped by the key performances of some of those who entered.
Along with Haton, Jamie George and Tyrique George were given goals, as was midfielder Andrey Santos, the youngster who has brought up Europe’s giants this season, beating Benica and Copenhagen.
Romeferer Romeo Lavia also started but was also pulled after four minutes, leaving Chelsea Berhlllywith 10 men before he was replaced.
There must be real concern about the long-term fitness of the International signed from Southampton for £53m in 2023.
He has 10 injuries, out of 568 days and has missed 87 matches since joining Chelsea, according to Trefirmmarkt. He played just 29 times and never completed a full 90 minutes for the club.