Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated 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 offered a puzzling comment in his post-match press conference even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to consecutive fixtures.
But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the previous two days within the club.
"The way the squad are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people didn't support us."
Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss added: "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 within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.
"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, 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 reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Speculation Over Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.