Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca described the past couple of days as the “worst 48 hours” of his time at the club, in what appeared to be a pointed response to criticism over Chelsea’s recent dip in form.
After
a 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday — ending a four-game winless streak in all competitions — Maresca was eager to praise his players.
“They are doing very well after a complicated week,” he told reporters. “The last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club, because many people didn’t support me and the club.”
Asked to clarify, Maresca emphasized he was referring to support “in general” but made clear he remains happy with Chelsea’s fans.
The Blues’ struggles included a 3-1 loss to Leeds, a goalless draw with Bournemouth, and a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Atalanta. These setbacks followed strong performances earlier in the season, including a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League and a resilient 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal despite being down to 10 men.
The Everton win lifted the Blues into fourth place in the Premier League, leapfrogging Crystal Palace.
Maresca, who joined Chelsea in 2024 after guiding Leicester City back to the Premier League, enjoyed a stellar first season in charge, winning the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup.
Despite his accolades, he underlined the challenges of maintaining form amid injuries and criticism.
“With Cole Palmer back, we are a better team,” he said. “We played 16 Premier League games, many without our best players, and the squad has done fantastic. I would like people from the outside to appreciate that.”
On handling criticism, Maresca added: “I know that if you don’t win, everyone complains.” Yet, even amid scrutiny, his backing for the squad remained unwavering, a reminder of his leadership during Chelsea’s turbulent stretch.
(with agency inputs)
