Enzo Maresca's enigmatic revelation at Chelsea sows confusion: 'Worst 48 hours at the club' | Football news

Enzo Maresca has described the 48 hours leading up to Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton as the 'worst 48 hours since he joined the club'.

Chelsea ended a four-game winless run in all competitions with victory over the Toffees to return to the Premier League's top four, but Maresca was clearly unhappy despite a first win since November 22 easing the pressure on him.

In an extraordinary outburst, the Blues manager suggested he felt he and his team had not been supported, before refusing to clarify what the problem was and who his comments were aimed at.

Asked about Malo Gusto's performance against Everton, Maresca praised his players before expressing his frustrations.

“It’s the effort of the players,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“We have said many times that Reece [James] and Malo [Gusto]they are both full-backs and today they were both midfielders. So the effort, the open-mindedness, the way they want to learn has been fantastic and that's why I congratulate the players because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week.

“The last 48 hours were the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because a lot of people didn't support us. I'm very happy for Malo at this time, that the effort of Malo and the others shows that they are all here and want to help this club.”

When asked to clarify his comments, he repeated: “Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people weren't supporting me and the team.”

His comments causing confusion, reporters continued to ask him who he was talking about and if it was the fans.

“[People] in general. In general.” When asked again if he was talking about the fans or the media, Maresca replied: “I love the fans and we are very happy with them.”

“A lot of people didn't support us” – Maresca's full exchange with journalists…

Are you satisfied with Malo Gusto?

EM: “Yeah, but again it's the effort of the players. We've said many times that Reece and Malo, they're both full-backs and today they were both midfielders. So the effort, the open-mindedness, the way they want to learn has been fantastic and that's why I congratulate the players because with so many problems they are doing very well after a complicated week.

“Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because a lot of people didn't support us. So I'm very happy for Malo at this time that the effort of Malo and others shows that they are all here and they want to help this club.

What do you mean no one has supported you in the last 48 hours?

EM: “Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people weren't supporting me and the team.”

People in general?

EM: “In general. In general.”

Do you mean the fans or the media?

EM: “I love the fans and we are very happy with them.”