Chelsea are fully supportive of Enzo Maresca’s recruitment and rotation strategy and had no issue with the head coach making seven changes for Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag.

Although the result left Maresca facing questions over his starting XI, the Italian left Baku knowing he retains the firm backing of Chelsea’s leadership.

The Premier League club have amassed a deep, talented squad to compete in four major competitions and feel that regular game time is the only way to keep players fresh during a long and draining season. It is understood there is no sense within Chelsea that Maresca gambled with his selection against Qarabag, rather that the he has implemented a smart policy during the past two seasons that will aid player availability in the long run.

Chelsea, who have changed their starting XI more than any other Premier League side this season, did not have a proper pre-season after going all the way at last summer’s Club World Cup and have been hit by injuries to key players. Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile were unavailable against Qarabag and Maresca has said that Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and João Pedro have been...