Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.
The 44-year-old offered a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.
Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days at the organization.
"How the lads want to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of issues, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because several people failed to back us."
When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I truly praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our top player.
"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to recognize because the work from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.