The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.
The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling message in his post-match interview despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.
However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.
"The way the players want to learn has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Injury and Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our top player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.
