The Boss Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four matches.
But, when asked about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the preceding two days at the organization.
"How the players want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous problems, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he said.
"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because several people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury and Suspension Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, 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 reason why I'm so happy 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 triumph over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, 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 not immediately clear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach.
In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.