The Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The Italian offered a puzzling message in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to four matches.
However, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days at the organization.
"How the players want to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because several people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, 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 explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.
