The Manager Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues
Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.
The Italian made a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.
Those points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four fixtures.
Yet, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.
"The way the players are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of challenges, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 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 continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."
When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."
Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis
Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, noting 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-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.
"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.
"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, 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 five 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 acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."
Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.
Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments
It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.
In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.
It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.