Paul Merson has branded Enzo Maresca's team selection against Brentford 'pathetic' in a disparaging assessment of the Chelsea manager's priorities.
Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season took a concerning hit on Sunday as Brentford held the Blues to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate in west London, profiting from Maresca's decision to shuffle his pack ahead of Thursday's Europa Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warszawa.
Maresca's XI for Brentford raised eyebrows before the match as key first-team players Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill were named on the bench for what promised to be a difficult test away from home.