Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Club
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old offered a puzzling message in his post-match press conference even after earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four matches.
But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the previous two days within the club.
"The way the lads want to learn has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."
Pressed on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.
"I really praise 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, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 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 without our top player.
"We play 5 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 want people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is fantastic."
Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had irked him, if social media 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 issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.
