Players Have To Question Chelsea Rotation - Rooney

Former Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney says Chelsea's elder players should "question" Enzo Maresca's squad selections.

The Argentine made 7 changes to his starting XI for nan 2-2 tie against Qarabag successful nan Champions League connected Wednesday.

It was nan 5th consecutive lucifer crossed each competitions that Maresca has made astatine slightest 7 changes to his starting XI.

"The players want to play, they want to build relationships," nan erstwhile England skipper said connected nan Wayne Rooney Show.

"When you support chopping and changing past nan players won't beryllium happy. I deliberation that will travel backmost to wound them.

"If they are getting results each nan clip past you can't mobility it but if they're not, location has to beryllium questions asked."

Rooney believes it is up to skipper Reece James and different knowledgeable players successful nan Chelsea squad to reside nan rumor pinch Maresca.

"I deliberation astir clubs now person a activity group and arsenic a group you person to spell and mobility nan manager," he added.

"You perceive group talk astir 'player power' but this isn't subordinate power.

"I'd beryllium concerned if nan squad kept changing. If one was successful that [leadership] group I'd beryllium speaking to my team-mates saying 'Look, i'm not happy pinch this'."

Chelsea person made 85 changes successful 16 matches this play - by acold nan astir of immoderate Premier League team.

But, speaking aft nan tie successful Azerbaijan, Maresca defended his rotation policy.

"The [selection] is ever because we deliberation nan scheme pinch nan players is nan correct one," said Maresca.

"The volition was to remainder Moises [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Malo [Gusto] and much players.

"They are not capable to play each 3 days. The Club World Cup affected a lot. We tried to rotate. When we win, cipher mentions that but erstwhile we don't, everyone is focused connected that."

Earlier connected nan podcast, Rooney said he was possibly a "bit harsh" for suggesting Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk had "downed tools" aft signing a caller woody pinch nan club.

Rooney said successful October that Van Dijk's assemblage connection was a "big concern" and that he had grounded to lead nan squad this season.

The Dutchman, who signed a caller woody pinch nan nine towards nan extremity of past season, described nan disapproval arsenic "lazy".

Following Liverpool's Champions League triumph against Real Madrid connected Tuesday, Van Dijk was interviewed connected Amazon Prime, who had Rooney arsenic a pundit.

"I deliberation nan remark that I signed my caller woody and past it was for illustration 'that is it' and I fto it slide, I deliberation that was a bit... but that's my individual sentiment and we move on," said Van Dijk.

"Maybe I was a spot unfair pinch that comment," said Rooney.

"Maybe I was a spot unfair because I don't cognize him that good arsenic a person."

However, Rooney says he stands by his comments astir nan level of Van Dijk's displays this term.

"From a capacity constituent of position I deliberation I was speaking what I felt and what I was seeing and I felt I was right," said Rooney.

"Van Dijk will judge himself by them [high standards]. When he reflects connected his performances this play he'd beryllium nan first to opportunity they haven't been astatine nan modular he's set."