Maresca Opens Up on “Worst 48 Hours” Despite Chelsea’s Win Over Everton
head coach said the build-up to Saturday’s win over was the most difficult period he has faced since taking charge at the club.
Despite Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, sealed by goals from and , Maresca struck a reflective tone in his post-match press conference, delivering a pointed and somewhat cryptic message. The result lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top four and ended a four-game winless run that had followed a Champions League defeat to .
However, when asked about Gusto’s contribution, Maresca unexpectedly spoke about his frustration over the previous 48 hours. He praised his players for their willingness to learn and their commitment despite what he described as a challenging week, revealing that the last two days had been the toughest of his tenure because he felt a lack of support.
When pressed further, the former manager repeated that sentiment but declined to specify who he was referring to. Asked whether his comments were directed internally, at supporters, or at the media, Maresca insisted he was speaking “in general” and stressed that he had a strong relationship with the fans, saying he loved their backing.
Maresca also used the moment to underline Chelsea’s injury and suspension problems this season. He pointed out that the team has often been without Palmer, while served a three-match suspension and striker endured two serious injuries. He said the squad deserved huge credit, noting that Chelsea had played large stretches of the campaign without key players yet continued to perform.
He added that the recent schedule had been particularly demanding, with five matches in 12 days, and reiterated how important Palmer is to the side, even though Chelsea have spent much of the season coping without him. The coach said he wanted those outside the club to better appreciate the effort and resilience shown by his players.
The win over Everton strengthened Chelsea’s hold on fourth place, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final in Cardiff and a league visit to coming up next.
Exactly what Maresca meant by his remarks was not entirely clear, but it was evident he was trying to make a point. In the space of two days, Chelsea had travelled back from Italy, trained once at Cobham, held a calm pre-match press conference and then ended their winless run.
Maresca has consistently expressed pride in his time at Stamford Bridge, having won the Club World Cup and Conference League and secured Champions League qualification in his first season. While there had been mixed signals over expectations, Chelsea’s strong start under his leadership quickly raised ambitions.
The coach appears to feel exposed by criticism, particularly while overseeing the youngest squad in the Premier League and dealing with prolonged absences of key players such as Palmer, Caicedo and . For weeks, Maresca has urged caution over title talk, stressing that this is a different Chelsea from the one previously owned by .
He has repeatedly described the club as being in a rebuild, centred on developing and trading young players, making instant success at the very top level more difficult. Yet expectations around Chelsea have remained high, and Maresca’s relatively reserved media style may have slowed his connection with some supporters.
This frustration helps explain his comments, as he has often asked for the same patience afforded to managers such as at and at .
Chelsea have not formally responded, with senior sources suggesting Maresca’s words were an emotional reaction after an intense match and noting that he was speaking in his second or third language.
It was clear he entered the media room with a message in mind, and he will have another opportunity to clarify his stance ahead of Monday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.