What Chelsea have told their players to motivate them to break into the starting XI

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While several stars at Chelsea are enjoying eye-catching seasons so far, there’s definitely some high-profile individuals not playing as much as they would like.

Overall, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca has done an excellent job managing the Chelsea squad, which is deep and filled with talent.

So far, he’s stuck with the same core in his starting XI for the Premier League campaign. However, he’s made wholesale changes in the various cup competitions to keep many people involved.

Darren Bent likes the way Maresca has used his squad so far this season, explaining it’s been a wise attempt of keeping the morale high inside the dressing room.

• READ MORE: Three Chelsea players who really deserve more minutes after the international break

What Chelsea have told all their players to motivate them

According to journalist Simon Phillips via Substack on Wednesday, he’s heard from a ‘top source’ that Chelsea’s big-name players are unlikely to be on the move until the summer at the earliest.

It is explained that the Blues have told all their players to ‘keep calm and work hard’ because there’s so many fixtures ahead in a busy season. Therefore, it will present the chance for personnel to break into Maresca’s starting line-up.

It sounds like smart motivation from Chelsea to try keep their squad pulling in the same direction.

Christopher Nkunku, 26, is a high-profile figure at Stamford Bridge struggling for minutes. Despite scoring 10 goals in 17 games across all competitions this campaign, the attacker’s only actually started one match in the Premier League.

Nkunku is not planning on leaving Chelsea in the New Year, but he’s someone that will surely want to play more.

Similarly, Blues midfielder Enzo Fernandez has lost his starting position in recent weeks in the league. Pat Nevin claims Fernandez has a tough job regaining his Chelsea spot, largely because of the form of teammates Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Chelsea have 11 games left in 2024 as chaotic run looms

The upcoming fixture schedule is surely going to test the depth of Chelsea’s squad, so it would make sense if the bulk of the group does get plenty of minutes during the rest of the calendar year.

Remarkably, Maresca’s side still have 11 matches left in 2024 when they return after the November international break.

On paper, Chelsea’s next set of games looks like an ideal chance to put together a great run of form. The fact they’ve got such a deep squad should help Maresca in that quest, too.