The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as The 'Worst Two Days' with the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview despite securing a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to consecutive outings.
But, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.
"How the players want to learn has been superb and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people didn't support us."
When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.
"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus 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 outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
