The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's win against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match interview even after earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four matches.
Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.
"The way the players are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people didn't support us."
When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."
Fitness & Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match 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 without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. 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 explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that timeframe, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
