Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's victory against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match press conference 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 Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four fixtures.
But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the previous two days within the club.
"How the players want to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because several people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much 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 really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without 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 want people outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.
It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.
