Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.
Yet, when questioned about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.
"The way the players are eager to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of issues, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people didn't support us."
When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League without 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 triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.
Speculation Over Maresca's Remark
It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
