Although Chelsea have a 3-0 lead over Legia Warsaw, going into the second leg, Enzo Maresca has refused to rotate players. His team selection has generated controversy, as the Italian manager has chosen to start a full-strength lineup at Stamford Bridge.
The starting XI includes a number of players who are irreplaceable or prone to injury, and might have been rested for this Conference League clash. Despite recent fitness concerns, both Reece James and Christopher Nkunku are named in the starting eleven.
Players who have recently returned from injury, such as Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer, are set to start. Marc Cucurella is the only fully fit left-back in the first team, and he could have also been rested for the game.
Fans expected Maresca to give valuable minutes to younger or fringe players, especially now that the tie is all but decided. Maresca, however, is not taking any chances, but supporters are not happy with the decision not to rotate.
The fans are wondering why it makes sense to risk key players before a challenging Premier League run-in. They took to social media with posts like these:
God, this man rested key players in a must win game in the PL for eventually no reason. We didn’t get the win
Now, he is starting those Key players in a game we already have a 3 goal advantage when we have a way more important game by the weekend
Is Maresca really okay?
— DAMOLA 🏀⚽️ ⚾️🔞 (@holardamolar) April 17, 2025
James, Cucurella, Palmer & Jackson when we’re already 3-0 up? Has he lost the plot?
— Vᴅʏᴋ (@VdykCFC) April 17, 2025
Next season fixture congestion with no clue how to rotate could be carnage. Reminds me of what ten Hag was doing at United.
— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) April 17, 2025
Reece James starting tonight when we’re already 3-0 up, so you know that means our club captain isn’t starting on Sunday.
Make it make sense.
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) April 17, 2025
Is Enzo Maresca alright? We're 3-0 up against Legia Warsaw for god's sake, why take so many risks!? Bloody hell.
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) April 17, 2025
Maresca is losing his mind lately..
— Pys (@CFCPys) April 17, 2025
Doesn’t play Reece James vs Ipswich but plays him tonight in the conference league?
Wtf man.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) April 17, 2025
Chelsea XI vs Legia Warsaw (April 17) – UEFA Conference League
Chelsea will play Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge tonight in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarterfinal. Filip Jorgensen will start in goal, and Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella will make up the back four.
Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, and Christopher Nkunku will assist Nicolas Jackson in attack. Reece James and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are anticipated to serve as midfield pillars, with the former linking between the midfield and right-back.
Legia Warsaw have a mountain to climb in London. Meanwhile, Chelsea have won all nine of their games and scored 32 goals in Europe this season, making them undefeated in the Conference League. The Blues are expected to finish the match and advance easily to the semi-final.
