‘Worst 48 hours’ Maresca says he received no support at Chelsea
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“The last 48 hours have been the worst since joining the club because not many people supported me and the team,” he said. “Generally.”
When asked if he was referring to Chelsea fans, he replied: “I love the fans and we are very happy for them.”
Maresca was pleased with Palmer’s return but warned the player was not yet fully fit.
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‘I think it’s going to be tough’ – Hargreaves says he feels this is Arsenal’s year
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Defender Maro Gusto scored twice late in the first half to leave the Blues fourth in the table, but fifth-placed Crystal Palace could go one point higher if they win their games against Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon.
As a result, he has appeared in just seven games for the team (six in the league) and has scored three goals in all competitions so far this season.
However, Maresca warned that he would not be able to play two games in a week until he returned to full fitness.
“At the moment he cannot play,” the Italian said of his playmaker.
Asked if he would play in Wales’ Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff on Tuesday night, he added: “Probably not.”
But the manager was delighted to have Palmer back against Everton and lamented his lack of minutes so far this season. “I’ve said many times with Cole that we’re the better team. Unfortunately he didn’t play a lot of games for us, but now he’s back and he’ll definitely help us.”
Goalscorer Gusto and fellow defender Reece James were both used as opposite full-backs during the game, but Maresca suggested it was a mistake to think teams could not ask either defender to play a wide role.
He said: “You’ll never play two, right? They’re good players and if they’re good players they can play in any position. They can play fullback and midfielder.”
“(Maro Gusto) took a chance and provided an assist for Cole, so I’m really happy for Maro.”
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Rashford ‘had to adapt’ but is now ‘at his best level’ – Flick
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Chelsea finished the game with a five-point difference at the top of the league. However, with less than half of the season played, Maresca was unwilling to accept that his side were out of contention for the Premier League title.
He said, “Even if I win or not, it doesn’t mean I’m not ready to fight for the title yet.”
Maresca credited the clean sheet win not only to the defense but to the team as a whole, adding, “Not conceding a goal is not a problem with one player, it’s a problem with the whole team. Joao Pedro’s press, Alejandro Garnacho’s press.”
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