The Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The Italian delivered a puzzling comment in his after-game media briefing despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to consecutive matches.
But, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his frustration over the preceding two days within the club.
"How the squad are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous issues, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he stated.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us."
Pressed on his meaning, the former 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 was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we 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 said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest 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 reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
