Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' with the Club
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling message in his post-match media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.
Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.
"How the squad want to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people didn't support us."
Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."
Fitness & Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 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 almost all season minus our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments
It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.
