🔗 Share this article The Manager Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues Enzo Maresca signed for Chelsea from Leicester during July of last year. Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge. The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures. Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days at the organization. "How the squad are eager to learn has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he stated. "Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us." Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team." When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans." Fitness & Disciplinary Woes Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries. "I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said. "And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have 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 without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days. Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager. In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side. It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.
Enzo Maresca signed for Chelsea from Leicester during July of last year. Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge. The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures. Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days at the organization. "How the squad are eager to learn has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he stated. "Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us." Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team." When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans." Fitness & Disciplinary Woes Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries. "I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said. "And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have 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 without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days. Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager. In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side. It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.