The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at home through finishes 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 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to consecutive outings.
Yet, when questioned about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the previous two days at the organization.
"How the lads are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he said.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people failed to back us."
Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."
Injury and Suspension Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without 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 externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.
