Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match interview even after securing a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.
However, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.
"The way the lads want to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people didn't support us."
Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."
Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I really praise the players and the squad because we have 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 explained.
"And this squad, no matter 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 top player.
"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the work from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
