‘I have four kids at home I want to keep happy’ – Maresca says Chelsea players must earn playing time | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says he is not thinking about giving players game time just to keep them happy.

The Chelsea boss has been able to rotate his team between Premier League and Europa Conference League games so far this season, but with no European games until March for the Blues, some of his squad are facing the prospect of less playing time.

But Maresca insists his decision to rotate the team has not been about keeping people happy.

“The reason we are sharing minutes is not because we want to keep them happy,” Maresca explained.

“I have four kids at home that I want to keep happy. It is because they deserve minutes and not because I want to keep them happy.

“We will change things, we have another game in three days and we take a decision game on game.”

Cole Palmer was left out of the Conference League squad to keep him fresh for Premier League fixtures, and Maresca says that means he is unlikely to be rested during the busy festive period of games.

“No, we already protect him in the Conference League which is why he is not in the squad,” Maresca said when asked about possibly resting Palmer.

“That’s the reason why he always starts in the Premier League. Fofana was always starting in the Premier League because he didn’t play in the Conference League and Lavia is the same. But this does not mean they are always going to play.

“I take the decision game after game. (He has) goals and assists, and how he is helping us. I have said many times after games, him and Nicolas (Jackson), they are not only scoring goals but helping a lot with how we press and our intensity.”