Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive fixtures.
However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the previous two days at the organization.
"How the lads are eager to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with a host of issues, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 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 answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury 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-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our best 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 reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the work from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Speculation Over Maresca's Comments
It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that window, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.
