The Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's victory against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered a puzzling statement in his after-game interview even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive matches.
Yet, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days at the organization.
"How the players want to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because several people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "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 answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."
Injury & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing 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 almost all season without our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Speculation Over Maresca's Comments
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he seemed at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.
