The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's win against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian made a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.
But, when questioned about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the preceding two days at the club.
"The way the players want to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people withheld support from us."
Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best 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 like people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that period, the coach had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
