Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling comment in his after-game media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.
However, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the previous two days within the organization.
"The way the lads are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because many people failed to back us."
Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Most difficult 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 replied: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without key forward 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 a couple of serious injuries.
"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea head coach.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.
