🔗 Share this article The Manager Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Club Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea after leaving Leicester during July 2024. Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club. The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings. Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous two days at the organization. "The way the squad are eager to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said. "Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us." Pressed on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "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 internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans." Injury & Suspension Crisis Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries. "I really applaud 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, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus 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 recognize because the work from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days. Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach. In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton team. It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.
Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea after leaving Leicester during July 2024. Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club. The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings. Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous two days at the organization. "The way the squad are eager to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said. "Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people withheld support from us." Pressed on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "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 internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans." Injury & Suspension Crisis Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries. "I really applaud 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, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus 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 recognize because the work from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days. Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach. In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton team. It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.