Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious message in his after-game media briefing despite earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.
Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the previous two days at the club.
"How the players are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."
Injury & Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our top player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.
