The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' with the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game media briefing despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to four matches.
Yet, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.
"The way the players want to learn has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with a host of issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.
"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Crisis
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.
"I really commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our best 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 want people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
