Chelsea: Liam Rosenior defends his squad rotation after beating Wrexham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals

Chelsea Boss Liam Rosenior defended his intense squad rotation after his side overcame 10-man Wrexham to reach the second round. FA Cup quarter-finals.

The 41-year-old made nine changes for their 4-1 win over Aston Villa, but needed extra-time goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro, after Wrexham lost momentum following George Dobson’s red card at the end of normal time.

Rosenior has made an average of five changes per game, is yet to field the same four players in the back four in consecutive matches, and has also begun rotating goalkeepers Rob Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.

When asked if the level of rotation threatens to derail the team, Rosenior said: “Yes, that is the risk you take.”

Cole Palmer, Moses Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes were rested and left out of the squad, while Reece James was an unused substitute and Mark Cucurella and Joao Pedro came off the bench.

Rosenior added: “We are entering a period of games where, for example, Romeo Lavia can be really important because he has to play minutes. We have to get him up to speed. Dario Isogu, we have to give him time on the pitch.

“[Lavia] He is a great player, but you cannot expect perfection from a player who has been out for four months.

“It’s not just about the first 11 or the first 12 to get us to where we want to be. The only way our players and our team will help us achieve what I believe is possible is for them to be sharp and ready.

“I would say that it is not guaranteed that if you start your first 11 matches, these matches will be easier. Also, the number of matches my team has played in the last 18 months is the most in the world. So at some point I have to trust the group. They repaid my faith with tonight’s result.”

Chelsea will face Paris Saint-Germain next in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lavia made his first start in more than four months, having gone off injured after just eight minutes of a Champions League match away to Karabakh in November.