🔗 Share this article The Boss Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Club Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea after leaving Leicester in July of last year. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge. The Italian made a rather mysterious statement in his after-game press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those three precious points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four outings. Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days at the organization. "How the players are eager to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he commented. "From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people withheld support from us." When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team." When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans." Injury and Suspension Crisis Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries. "I truly praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player. "We play five games in the Premier League minus 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 appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable." Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week. Speculation Over Maresca's Remark It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager. In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side. It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge. Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.
Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea after leaving Leicester in July of last year. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge. The Italian made a rather mysterious statement in his after-game press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those three precious points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four outings. Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days at the organization. "How the players are eager to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he commented. "From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people withheld support from us." When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team." When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans." Injury and Suspension Crisis Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries. "I truly praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player. "We play five games in the Premier League minus 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 appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable." Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week. Speculation Over Maresca's Remark It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager. In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side. It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge. Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.