The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "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 notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.
Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization.
"The way the lads want to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people withheld support from us."
When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss added: "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 internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."
Injury & Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season minus our top player.
"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the coach had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.