The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Club
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those three precious points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to four fixtures.
However, when asked about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period within the organization.
"How the squad are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are excelling after a difficult week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people failed to back us."
When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."
Fitness & Suspension Woes
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.
"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly 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 without our best player.
"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, 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 ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.
In that window, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.
It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
