Wayne Rooney has recently advised Chelsea players to evaluate Enzo Maresca's selection strategy following a 2-2 draw against Qarabag in the Champions League. The match, held on a Wednesday evening, featured the Chelsea manager making seven alterations to his starting lineup, marking the fifth successive game in which he has opted for such significant rotation.

During a discussion on the Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain highlighted the necessity for stability within the squad. He remarked, "The players want to play, they want to build relationships." Rooney suggested that frequent changes could lead to dissatisfaction among the players, potentially impacting team performance. He noted that while consistent results might validate a rotation policy, the current outcomes should prompt a reevaluation of Maresca's choices.

Rooney urged Chelsea's leadership group to express their concerns regarding the manager's selection decisions, particularly in light of the team’s recent results. Chelsea has achieved three victories in their last five matches; however, the team has also experienced a defeat against newly-promoted Sunderland in the league, coupled with the draw against Qarabag.

He stated, "I think most clubs now have a leadership group, and as a group, you have to go and question the manager." Rooney emphasized that this action should not be misconstrued as 'player power,' but rather a necessary dialogue regarding the team's structure and performance. He conveyed his apprehension about the implications of continuous changes, suggesting that, if he were part of the leadership group, he would advocate for a discussion among teammates about their dissatisfaction with the situation.

In response to Rooney's critique, Maresca defended his rotation approach after the Champions League match, stating, "The [selection] is always because we think the plan with the players is the correct one." He acknowledged that the team started positively but conceded two goals, indicating that they could have been avoided. Maresca attributed part of the rationale behind rotating players to their recent success in the Club World Cup, asserting that key players such as Moises, Enzo, and Malo Gusto require rest due to the demanding schedule. He noted, "When we win, nobody mentions that, but when we don’t, everyone is focused on that."

In a parallel discussion, Rooney reflected on his prior comments regarding Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, admitting that he may have been overly critical when implying that the player had 'downed tools' after signing a new contract. 
Van Dijk addressed Rooney's remarks in an interview with Amazon Prime Sport, stating, "I think the comment that I signed my new deal and then it was like 'that is it' and I let it slide, I think that was a bit..." In response, Rooney conceded, "Maybe I was a bit unfair with that comment because I don’t know him that well as a person." He reiterated that his observations were based on performance, maintaining that Van Dijk likely holds himself to the high standards expected of him, especially when evaluating his performances this season.