Enzo Maresca cut a perplexing figure after Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton, insisting the previous 48 hours had been his hardest since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but refusing to clarify who had let him down. Speaking in the post-match press conference, he said: "The last 48 hours have been the hardest since I joined the club because so many people didn't support me and the team." When pressed on whether he was referring to an internal issue, he replied only "in general".
Maresca's comment came in response to a question about Malo Gusto's form and was repeated before he stressed his affection for the supporters, saying: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans." He also volunteered that he had been at fault for the recent defeat at Leeds, where he admitted his team selection was wrong, suggesting the source of his frustration may lie within the club itself, though he offered no further elucidation.
The win over Everton was Chelsea's first in three matches, following losses to Leeds and Atalanta and a draw at Bournemouth, leaving them fifth in the Premier League and 13th in the Champions League table. Their inconsistency remains striking: a squad packed with talent can produce dazzling football yet still look vulnerable within the same game. Injuries have contributed, with Levi Colwill out since August and Wesley Fofana managed carefully after concussion, though Chelsea's record improves markedly when Fofana starts.
Chelsea took the lead in the 21st minute when Cole Palmer, making his first home appearance since the opening weekend, finished a Gusto through-ball. Gusto then doubled the lead just before half-time after a cut-back from Pedro Neto. Everton created opportunities and Iliman Ndiaye struck the post late on, leaving manager David Moyes to reflect: "I'm disappointed because we didn't win, and disappointed because we got a couple of injuries but not disappointed with how we played."
The victory was welcome but the underlying fragility remains. Maresca's opaque remarks, combined with a young squad built on a model of developing and selling assets, leave questions about whether this Chelsea side can truly challenge for the highest honours. For now, the focus returns to the pitch, but the mystery over his complaint lingers.
