The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as The 'Toughest Two Days' at the Club
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.
The Italian made a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive matches.
However, when asked about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his frustration over the previous two days within the organization.
"How the squad are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he said.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people didn't support us."
Pressed on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."
Injury & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.
"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. 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 best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top 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 want people externally to acknowledge because the work from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea head coach.
In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.
It was unclear whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.