🔗 Share this article Chelsea's Boss Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues Enzo Maresca moved to Chelsea after leaving Leicester during July of last year. Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club. The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive matches. Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization. "How the lads are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated. "From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people failed to back us." When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team." When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans." Injury and Disciplinary Woes Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries. "I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly 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 top player. "We play 5 games in the Premier League minus 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 acknowledge because the work from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week. Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager. In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side. It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled 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 rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.
Enzo Maresca moved to Chelsea after leaving Leicester during July of last year. Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club. The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive matches. Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization. "How the lads are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated. "From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people failed to back us." When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team." When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans." Injury and Disciplinary Woes Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries. "I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained. "And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly 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 top player. "We play 5 games in the Premier League minus 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 acknowledge because the work from the players is outstanding." Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week. Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager. In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side. It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled 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 rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.