Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic comment in his after-game interview even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.
However, when asked about Gusto's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his frustration over the previous 48-hour period within the club.
"The way the squad are eager to improve has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of issues, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people didn't support us."
Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury & Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the work from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, 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, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.
