Chelsea's Boss Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' with the Club
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four matches.
But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the previous two days within the club.
"The way the lads want to learn has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.
"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because many people withheld support from us."
Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."
Injury & 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 campaign, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match 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, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have 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 minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.