Enzo Maresca’s team selections seem designed to provoke Chelsea supporters.

We truly never thought we’d find ourselves so frustrated over a simple team announcement for a UEFA Conference League fixture — but somehow, that’s exactly where we are. Enzo Maresca has just released the starting lineup for tonight’s second leg against Legia Warsaw, and the choices have left many fans completely bewildered.

 

Chelsea already hold a commanding 3-0 lead going into this match. Given the relatively weaker opposition and the comfortable cushion, most supporters assumed this would be a prime opportunity to rotate the squad, rest key players, and give some valuable minutes to younger or fringe members of the team. Instead, Maresca has fielded what appears to be a significantly strong lineup, with many of the club’s top players included. It’s a decision that feels, quite frankly, unnecessary and even reckless, especially with a much more demanding and high-stakes match just days away in the Premier League.

 

The inclusion of Reece James, in particular, is shocking. Fans have consistently voiced concerns about his fitness, knowing he is only capable of playing one match a week due to his injury history. Starting him tonight likely rules him out of Sunday’s match against Fulham — a vital league clash where Chelsea desperately need a win to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

 

And it doesn’t stop there. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, and Nicolas Jackson are all also starting, raising even more eyebrows. This isn’t just a questionable selection — it borders on confusing. One has to wonder what Maresca is trying to accomplish here. Is he trying to make a statement? Does he not trust the depth of his squad? Or is he just completely underestimating the physical and tactical demands of the coming league game?

 

Adding to the confusion is the decision to leave promising talent like Tyrique George on the bench. If there were ever a match to start a young player and build their confidence, this would be it. His absence from the starting eleven might only be justifiable if he’s being saved to feature heavily on Sunday, but even that feels like a bit of a stretch.

 

Surprisingly, this time the complaints aren’t about the lack of academy representation — though many would argue that youth players could easily have filled roles tonight without weakening the side. Instead, the concern is about the unnecessary risk of burning out or injuring key players right before a crucial game that could define Chelsea’s season.

 

At this point, fans are eagerly waiting to hear Maresca’s reasoning in the post-match press conference. There needs to be some kind of logic behind this approach — because from the outside, it feels like a major misstep. If things don’t go well this weekend, tonight’s lineup could end up being a decision that haunts Chelsea.