The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Lead-Up Time as His 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Club
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian offered a rather mysterious message in his after-game interview even after earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.
However, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.
"The way the players are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people withheld support from us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined 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 specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
Injury and Suspension Crisis
Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, 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 applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without 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 want people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."
Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.
Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark
It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe 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, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.
It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.