Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Toughest 48 Hours' with the Club
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The Italian made a puzzling statement in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.
However, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the previous two days at the club.
"The way the lads want to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people didn't support us."
Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When asked 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 very content with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.
"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.
Speculation Over Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton side.
It was unclear whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.
