LONDON (AP) – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed frustration at the club’s lack of support, saying he has just endured his worst spell since taking over in the summer of 2024.
Maresca did not specify who he was referring to, but insisted he was not a Chelsea fan.
“The last 48 hours have been the worst since I joined the club because not many people supported me and the team,” Maresca said after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Asked if he was referring to things inside Chelsea, he replied: “In general. In general.”
Victory at Stamford Bridge ended Chelsea’s four-game winless run in all competitions and lifted them into fourth place in the league.
Asked if he was talking about the club’s supporters, Maresca added: “I love the fans and we are very happy with them.”
Maresca made the surprising claim after answering a question about the performance of Maro Gusto, who set up Cole Palmer’s opening goal for Chelsea and scored Chelsea’s second.
On Friday, he said only a win could end fans’ frustrations on social media, reflecting on his 30 years of football: “I know people are going to complain if we don’t win.”
It’s unclear whether his comments after the Everton game were an online reaction or directed elsewhere, but he was quick to back his players after they ended a losing streak that included defeats against Leeds and Atalanta and a goalless draw against Bournemouth.
“Despite so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week,” Maresca said.
Praise Palmer
It was Palmer’s first goal in three months. The England playmaker was making his second successive start in the Premier League after missing the first half of the season with a groin injury that limited him to just seven competitive appearances.
“We’re a better team because of Cole,” Maresca said. “I really admire the players because we played 16 games in the Premier League, five without Moises Caicedo, 11 without Cole Palmer and almost all without Liam Delap. Whoever is playing has been a great performance.”
“We’ve been playing almost the entire season without our best players. That’s why I’m so happy for our players. I want people on the outside to appreciate that, too.”
Palmer said he is not yet at full strength as he is “still battling injuries.”
“It’s important that we don’t do too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC.
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