Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri dangerously dismissive of the need to rotate

Winning the Premier League is always Chelsea’s objective, even in a manager’s first season. Maurizio Sarri cannot let opportunities to experiment pass him by, as he did in the Europa League against MOL Vidi.

This season the world has seen a different, almost unrecognizable Chelsea FC. They are playing an attractive passing game, they keep most of the possession and – when the team is up by just one goal – sitting back and defending doesn’t seem to be an option. This has all been thanks to Maurizio Sarri and his new philosophy. Sarrismo has been a hit in England, and now many teams fear Chelsea far more than they did three seasons ago.

However, lately the focus has intensified in smaller games, such as Thursday’s Europa League match against MOL Vidi. Maurizio Sarri went with a very strong, very experienced starting XI and only one youth player – Ethan Ampadu – on the bench. He then brought on Eden Hazard, Ross Barkley and Victor Moses as his substitutes.

By not appropriately structuring his priorities, Sarri is missing out on valuable opportunities. For starters, the fact of the matter is Sarrismo is very demanding. It entails a high press at all times in order to regain the ball, and a lot of movement off the ball to get into the right position.

Every player in the team has to be in a state of constant awareness and mobility for the system to work. Every man has high-energy responsibilities to create plays and close down the opposition so the team can score goals. This system does not divide the team into three areas, where some players can just stand and watch.

Therefore it is only natural that some, if not most, of the players already look tired. This is a new system that would usually take a full season to adapt to. Don’t misunderstand: the usual starting XI have done extremely well in developing this new philosophy on the field. But already, this early in the season, fatigue is starting to emerge.

Players like Eden Hazard, Joginho and N’Golo Kante have shown how vital they are to the team. But for that same reason, they need to receive a proper rest. Even defenders like Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso are at risk of injury after so many consecutive matches. Playing any of them in games against MOL Vidi and Derby County is a senseless risk.

Second, these lesser competitions are the perfect time to see the young players. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ethan Ampadu, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been on the spectating side of things this season. Although one can understand Sarri wants to develop the first team and push them to perfect his style, certain games make more sense for the young players.

These should be obvious choices, players who impressed last season and into pre-season. They are players with a lot of talent, and Chelsea have a great opportunity to build teams around them in the future.

However, for them to grow into the team, they need the opportunity to show their worth. And against teams like MOL Vidi, one would think that there is no better chance to do so.

Hudson-Odoi, who played almost the entire pre-season against big teams, is surely more than ready to start and play a full match in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Amapdu and Christensen should be given the opportunity to play Sarrismo, grow into the team and become the next generation of players they really are. Their youthful energy is something that could benefit Sarri in the long run. Their presence would also let the rest of the players know their spot could be in jeopardy if they do not work hard enough.

But even more from a tactical stand point, Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu, Christensen and Loftus-Cheek each bring something different to the squad. The two young defenders, for example, bring a new level of calm defending. Despite their age, Ampadu and Christensen bring stability to the back line that the some of their seasoned team-mates do not possess. And what they lack in experience, they make up in agility and desire to play.

When it comes to the midfield and wingers, their energy and attacking excitement could very well be the finishing touches that Maurizio Sarri is looking for to make his team more deadly. They are players who dictate the match and are focused in the attack. And if they lack the discipline required, the best way to learn it is by playing games.

Chelsea missed the opportunity to play some younger players in the Europa League against MOL Vidi. Next up is Southampton in the Premier League before they face Manchester United after the international break.

If Chelsea want a consistent run of winning games, allowing young players to get some minutes in the smaller games will be crucial. Maurizio Sarri will want a healthy, full-strength squad when he comes up against Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino. That starts in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.