Rooney Critiques Chelsea's Team Selection and Reflects on Van Dijk Comments
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has suggested that Chelsea's senior players should critically evaluate Enzo Maresca's team selections.
The Argentine manager made seven changes to his starting lineup during the 2-2 draw against Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday. This marked the fifth consecutive match in all competitions where Maresca has altered his starting XI by at least seven players.
"The players want to play; they want to build relationships," Rooney stated on the Wayne Rooney Show. "When you keep chopping and changing, the players won't be happy. I think that will come back to bite them. If they are consistently getting results, then there is no question, but if they are not, questions need to be asked."
Rooney emphasized the responsibility of captain Reece James and other experienced players within the Chelsea squad to address these concerns with Maresca. "Most clubs now have a leadership group, and as a collective, you should approach the manager with your concerns," he added.
While discussing the concept of 'player power,' Rooney clarified, "This isn't about player power. I would be worried if the team kept changing. If I were part of that leadership group, I would talk to my teammates and express my dissatisfaction with the situation."
Notably, Chelsea has made 85 changes in 16 matches this season, the highest number among all Premier League teams. However, following the draw in Azerbaijan, Maresca defended his rotation strategy. "The selections are made based on what we believe is the correct plan for the players," he explained. "The intention was to rest Moises [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Malo [Gusto], and others. They cannot play every three days. The Club World Cup had a significant impact on our schedule. We aimed to rotate players. When we win, no one mentions it, but when we don’t, that becomes the focus."
Rooney Reflects on Comments Regarding Van Dijk
Earlier in the podcast, Rooney acknowledged that he may have been a bit harsh in his assessment of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, whom he previously suggested had "downed tools" following the signing of a new contract. In October, Rooney expressed concern over Van Dijk's body language and leadership this season.
The Dutch defender, who signed a new deal with Liverpool towards the end of last season, described Rooney's criticism as "lazy." After Liverpool's Champions League victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday, Van Dijk was interviewed on Amazon Prime, where Rooney served as a pundit. "I think the comment about me signing my new deal and then letting it slide was a bit off, but that’s just my opinion, and we move on," said Van Dijk.
Rooney responded, stating, "Maybe I was a bit unfair with that comment because I don’t know him well as a person. However, I stand by my observations regarding the level of his performances this season. From a performance perspective, I was expressing what I felt and observed, and I believe I was right. Van Dijk will assess himself against his own high standards. When he reflects on his performances this season, he would be the first to admit they haven't met the level he has set."