Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling comment in his post-match press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to four outings.
Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.
"The way the players want to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many 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 a lot of people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 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 within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.
"I really applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.
"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Speculation Over Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.
