Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as The 'Toughest Two Days' with the Club
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian offered a puzzling comment in his after-game media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.
However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization.
"The way the lads want to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many issues, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people withheld support from us."
Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury & Disciplinary Woes
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.
"I really applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our best player.
"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to recognize because the work from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.
It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had irked him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
