Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Club
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's victory against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The 44-year-old offered a puzzling comment in his after-game interview even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.
But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the preceding two days at the club.
"The way the squad are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "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 replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's success 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 scheduled in the coming days.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.
It was unclear whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online discourse 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 issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.
