Inside why Enzo Maresca has FULL BACKING as Chelsea's tinkerman who rotates like no other manager - and even bad results like drawing with Qarabag are accepted

Enzo Maresca has made 85 changes to Chelsea's starting line-ups this season. At an average of 5.7 per game, it is more than any other Premier League manager by comparison.

However, this is not Maresca going rogue with his own personal rotation policy, or suddenly fancying himself a tactical tinkerman, or because he cannot decide on his best XI.

It is with the full backing of the Blues' hierarchy, including co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, both of whom are engaging in constant conversations with Maresca, and Joe Shields, Sam Jewell and their newest addition, Dave Fallows.

It is a Chelsea-wide approach and one on which they are fully aligned and consider necessary as they aim to compete in four competitions - the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup - and build on their Club World Cup success in the summer.

With this approach comes the acceptance that there will be the odd stumble, such as Wednesday's 2-2 draw away at Qarabag. That was the first time an English team had failed to defeat the Azerbaijani side in their history. Maresca made seven changes for that European trip.

But then it is understandable that Chelsea are considering a picture bigger than one of Qarabag's players celebrating their point at full-time at the Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium.

While social media has a habit of setting itself on fire after a singular rough result - there were supporters calling for Maresca's head on a spike after Qarabag - built into this philosophy is an element of patience from those at the top of the Blues.

They are not panicking. They are not disappointed in Maresca's decision-making. They are not suddenly questioning whether they should rip up their rotation policy because of one unfortunate night, and nor should they do something so knee-jerk. Rather, they remain confident that they can reap the rewards of their strategy once the season is further along.

For those of us who have to file predicted line-ups, none come harder than Chelsea's. You imagine Wolves' caretakers James Collins and Richard Walker have been wrestling with that predicament in the build-up to Saturday's Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge. 

Will it be Pedro Neto or Estevao Willian on the right? Jamie Gittens or Alejandro Garnacho on the left? Reece James in midfield, at right back, or as a substitute? Is Liam Delap going to start? Will Joao Pedro go in at No 10? What about the central defenders? Who knows.

Those above Maresca are impressed by how he has handled rotating his side since taking charge. A deep squad was constructed for him to choose from, and he is doing so, in conjunction with his colleagues including Bryce Cavanagh, Chelsea's director of performance.

It is not only a requirement for player health and injury prevention, but with the aim of extracting peak performances out of their stars over the course of a long campaign which could see Chelsea compete in 65-plus matches. Internally, Maresca's handling of James, the club captain who can now appear in three games a week if required, has been appreciated.

Like any manager, Maresca craves consistency, but he himself will tell you that only comes with time and by allowing various player combinations to gel in games.

Jorrel Hato endured a challenging evening against Qarabag, whose two goals could be traced back to his involvement, but that was a learning curve for a defender who is still only 19-years-old and new at Chelsea. It is hoped he, and other arrivals such as Gittens and Andrey Santos, will show the benefits of the Blues' spreading of minutes in time.

Hato will not suddenly disappear after one awkward appearance. Maresca could have hooked him at half-time when he made three substitutions, but he did not. The teenager finished the full 90, and will have his chance to impress again. You can bet he will be keen to take it, too.

We are only 10 games into the Premier League season, halfway through the Champions League's initial stage, and with two other competitions in tow.

It is a marathon in which Chelsea hope, by the time it turns into a sprint towards the spring, their rotation policy will have them set up to go the distance.