The Manager Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Blues
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian made a rather mysterious statement in his after-game media briefing despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to consecutive fixtures.
But, when asked about Gusto's assist and general display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days at the organization.
"How the players want to improve has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he commented.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.
"I truly praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best 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 externally to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.
Speculation Over Maresca's Remark
It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.
In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.
