Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.
The Italian made a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.
But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.
"The way the players are eager to improve has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us."
When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury and Suspension Woes
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious 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, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our best player.
"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
