Chelsea

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We asked for your views on Enzo Maresca rotating his Chelsea starting XI for Sunday's 0-0 draw at Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Maresca said he wanted to "start the game one way and finish another". Fair enough after a tiring game only three days earlier. But surely that should have meant starting with the strongest XI, to try to get a goal or two ahead, and then finishing with the back-up players to manage the rest of the game.

Hugh: No he was not right! If you have injuries or a player is out of form, then yes you have to make changes. But that performance v Spurs was a move in the right direction - so he changes the team and destroys the momentum! Surely he can see that!

Freddie: Jackson and Palmer have been out for weeks, we can't expect them to start two games in three days straight away. It is unfortunate we don't have a decent second striker (Guiu would have done lots better than Nkunku I'm sure) but we didn't concede and others dropped points. A bit of a limp end to the season but if we get fifth then we can go again after the Club World Cup.

John: I love all these fans who think you can play your best team every game regardless of upcoming fixtures or players fitness and recovery levels. Enzo was quite right to rotate and look towards future games. There is no way it would have made sense to start Palmer and Jackson, both coming back from injuries. Assuming we need them for Ipswich, they can't manage three games in such a short time.

Rafael: Ridiculous choice. We all knew that this game was finished before it started once we saw the line-up. I'm surprised we left with a point. If you want to manage your best players minutes, start them to set the tempo and hopefully be up by half-time so that you can take them off in the second half. This is yet another example of Maresca throwing points away in must-win matches with a terrible line-up.

Chris: Surely the time to rotate is when we have secured a Champions League spot for next season, not now! Again, Maresca shows his lack of experience at this level.

Nick T: I wasn't surprised to see rotation - given the recent injuries I think it made sense not to risk more long-term absences for key players like Jackson and Palmer. That being said (and with hindsight), playing them in the first half and taking them off at half-time if we were winning perhaps would have also made sense. I still trust the manager though.

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After boosting their hopes of a Champions League place next season by beating Tottenham on Thursday, it was a surprise for many Chelsea fans to see so many changes in the starting XI at Brentford on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca rested Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and an in-form Pedro Neto against their west London neighbours, bringing in Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke.

However, with those starters failing to impress, all four of the rested players were brought on in the second half. They could not find the much-needed breakthrough as the game ended goalless.

Having returned from recent injuries, Maresca suggested not all of the rested players were "100%" for the game and that "the plan nearly worked" with the side creating more after the break.

The Blues are fourth, but their hopes of securing a guaranteed Champions League spot next campaign have been dented with those behind them closing in on their current tally of 53 points.

Whether through choice or fitness issues, rotation has become a feature of Maresca's early time in charge at Stamford Bridge.

According to Opta, the former Leicester manager has made 84 changes to his starting line-up so far this season - the fifth most of any side in the top flight, behind Manchester City, Ipswich Town, Southampton and Spurs.

Brentford have made the fewest changes of any team (42).

With a trophy still on the line in the Europa Conference League, the strength of Maresca's starting line-up in the quarter-final first leg on Thursday will be interesting to see before Chelsea host Ipswich on Sunday.

What do you make of Maresca's decision to rest players? Is it the right choice to rotate or should he be selecting a more consistent starting XI?

Let us know

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Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison says he was left questioning what Enzo Maresca was thinking when the Chelsea line-up was announced for their game at Brentford on Sunday.

Maresca rested Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and an in-form Pedro Neto against their west London rivals. In came Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, who all struggled to make an impact.

"I don't get what Maresca is doing," said Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It is like when they were second in the league and he kept playing down that they could challenge for the title, now they are in a position to finish in the Champions League places and he makes all of those changes.

"I know they have a European game [against Legia Warsaw on Thursday] but they could play their second team and win that Conference game. That is without a shadow of a doubt.

"Do not rest your players in the Premier League. I think it will go right down to the wire with them and I am not so confident in them.

"I know there are a lot of games to go but it feels like Maresca is going to be their downfall.

"How can you not play Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson? I was shocked."

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Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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When Enzo Maresca's starting line-up was announced before Chelsea's trip to Brentford on Sunday, there was a sense of surprise among many Blues fans across social media.

And after a drab goalless draw stretched their winless away run to eight matches, to leave their Champions League hopes in the balance, questions about his team selection grew even louder.

Maresca rested Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and in-form Pedro Neto. In came Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, who all struggled to make an impact.

All four of Chelsea's rested stars came on in the second half, which saw the Blues go from having just six shots and one on target before the interval to 17 shots and four on target after the break.

The Chelsea boss also faced criticism from sections of the away end, who have shown increasing frustration at his style of play, amid chants of "attack, attack, attack" and "we've had a shot" during a poor first half.

The bigger concern is that, although Chelsea remain fourth, the fight for Champions League places is looking increasingly competitive, with Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle all within three points of the Blues.

With a Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warsaw to come on Thursday, and the likes of Palmer and Jackson just returning from injuries, Maresca was quick to defend his squad rotation.

The Italian also blamed the quick turnaround for his selection gamble, claiming it was unfair his side had 24 hours less than Brentford to prepare for the match, having played Tottenham at home on Thursday.

When pressed by BBC Sport on whether he could have rotated in other games, he said: "This is a different opinion. I'm here to try to do the best for the club and players. I work every day with the players so I can see how they are.

"I'm not sure if Spurs at home is harder than Brentford away. For me, they are all complicated."

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Following Chelsea's goalless draw away at Brentford on Sunday, we asked you to have your say on the result that leaves their Champions League qualification hopes in the balance.

Here are some of your comments:

Tony: I hope they don't finish in the top five. They're not good enough for Champions League anyway. I'd like to see them slip out of all European places just to send a message to the clueless owners.

John: To save players for the potential to win the Europa Conference League and therefore qualify for next season's Europa League rather than go for a Champions League place is utter madness and shows how much Enzo Maresca is out of his depth.

Nick: Another disappointing performance with Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho proving once again they are B team at best. Strategic error to play an attacking formation without a goal threat. We need top five and these are not the levels that will deliver the Champions League place this club and recent investments demand.

Duncan: The golden rule of football is to never change a winning team. Maresca killed the momentum built on Thursday in the win against Spurs. We won't win anything with him in charge.

Dazza: Despite the huge financial outlay, we are a boring team to watch. Maresca's style of possession-based football resembles Sarri-ball, which was also turgid. Players are so afraid of losing the ball in transition that they always put the brakes on and pass back. There's no risk taking. So many players are now anonymous. Would Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall be in any top-10 side? We are so far away from being a title winning side. The positive - Moises Caicedo always great.

Diane: Words fail me. Every week it's a game of two halves. Second half did get better but just nowhere near good enough. The team selection just doesn't make sense half the time and some players just don't put enough effort in. I'm just thankful I'm going away for two weeks and I just hope we're still in the top half of the table by the time I return.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

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• Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton

• Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 3-2 Liverpool

• Man Utd 0-0 Man City

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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Chelsea's goalless draw at Brentford marked an eighth consecutive away match without picking up a victory in the Premier League for the Blues.

It is Enzo Maresca's side's longest winless run away from home in the top-flight since a 16-game run stretching between April 2000 and March 2001.

Given five points separate Chelsea in fourth and Fulham in eighth, with fourth and fifth set to be enough for Champions League qualification, the difference between which competition the Blues and their European-chasing rivals qualify for could be decided by just a couple of points, if not fewer.

Chelsea's winless away run, starting on 22 December after a goalless draw at Everton, includes trips to Manchester, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa. Most, if not all, of that quartet, will be playing European football next season.

The Blues' final three away games do not get any easier, with Fulham, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, who all sit in the top eight, still on Chelsea's radar on the road between now and the end of the season.

But the eight-game run on the road, including a defeat to Ipswich Town and draws with Everton, Crystal Palace and Brentford, will all feel like missed opportunities.

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has been speaking to Match of the Day: "I think we shot more than 20 times, I think the only thing we missed was the goal but overall, it's been a good performance."

On his team selection: "We played Thursday night, so the idea was to start the game in one way and finish in another way. I think the plan nearly worked. We just the missed the goal."

On the performance: "We can always do something better, not only today but in general. When you shoot more than 20 times, you've made enough chances to win the game."

On balancing the Premier League and Conference League: "It's difficult, but at the same time it's nice because it means we're near the end."

On whether still being in the Conference League is a good thing: "To be honest, when you are Chelsea manager you have to win all the games, not only in the Conference [League]. It is the same pressure."

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Chelsea have now failed to win any of their past eight Premier League away matches (D3 L5), scoring just three goals in total during that time. The Blues last endured a longer run without a win on the road in the top-flight between April 2000 and March 2001 (16 games).

Enzo Maresca's side attempted 21 shots without scoring against Brentford, their most without finding the back of the net in an away Premier League match since December 2017 against Everton at Goodison Park (25).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Brentford v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Southampton

• Man Utd v Man City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 live

All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chelsea's issue has been consistency - they played well to beat Tottenham on Thursday but can they back it up here? I am not sure.

Brentford are another team I have struggled to get right this season, but I'd always back them to score.

I have feeling this is going to be an open game with a few goals. A win would be big for Chelsea in their push for a top-five finish, but I don't think they will get it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Wesley Fofana could miss the remainder of 2024-25 season after undergoing "successful surgery" on a hamstring injury.

The defender missed Thursday's 1-0 win over Tottenham with a "muscle problem" and, after being assessed by specialists earlier this week, it was decided that surgery would be necessary.

"Fofana will now begin his recovery and undergo rehabilitation with the club's medical staff at Cobham over the coming weeks," the club statement, external continued.

The 24-year-old's latest injury blow comes just weeks after his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a similar injury.

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Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Chelsea.

The answer is John Terry, who was involved in 311 victories.

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Brentford are without a win in their past four home league games against Chelsea, meaning they have not beaten the Blues on their own ground since October 1938.

Chelsea have lost each of their past four Premier League away matches. They have not lost five in a row on the road since a run of five between October and December 2000.

Brentford have gone seven Premier League games without a win at Gtech Community Stadium, which is their worst run in the league since going nine without a win between September and December 2006.

Bryan Mbeumo has been involved in six goals in his past five Premier League games against Chelsea (three goals, three assists).

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Wesley Fofana will not be available for Sunday's game after suffering a "muscle problem", while midfielder Romeo Lavia has also picked up a muscle issue but "can be back earlier" than Fofana.

• On Lavia's fitness issues: "If you compare Romeo's games this season to last season, he's already improved. This season it was difficult to go the other way, but the target with Romeo is just to try to keep him fit as much as we can. Next year, he'll play more games than this season."

• Maresca said the situation is "similar" to Reece James, who was on the bench against Tottenham: "We try to take care of him [James]. We know that in this moment, he cannot play every three days. Hopefully soon he can start to. But the main target with him, with Romeo, with Wes, is to keep them fit because we know how important they are for us."

• The Blues boss also said Enzo Fernandez is "improving a lot" and his "understanding of the game is completely different now": "He knows where he has to stay, he knows where he has to arrive in the box. I think most of the goals he scored this season with us are because he was in the right position."

• Maresca expects the game with Brentford to be "very tough", particularly after playing on Thursday: "It's difficult. We are probably the only team - [bar Tottenham] so for us it will be more difficult. But now it's also a matter of how we manage the tightness. We need to recover energy and we need to go again on Sunday."

• On the importance of results over performances in final stages of season: "Now the target is to try to finish where we have been all season. Probably the first five, six months, we were second. Probably the expectation changed a little bit, but I think overall, all season we have been top four, top five."

• He added: "We're going to try our best to finish there. [Thursday's] performance probably for you is better compared to previous performances. In some performances, I was also happy, because I know how difficult it is sometimes to break the low block when they sit back."

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