INTERNAL RIFT: ANALYZING ENZO MARESCA'S CRYPTIC RANT AFTER CRUCIAL 2-0 WIN
Enzo Maresca dropped a bombshell, claiming the 48 hours before the Everton win were his "worst" at Chelsea due to a lack of support. We analyse who the unnamed critics might be.
After Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Everton, which put them fourth in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca said he'd had a rough couple of days.
The win at Stamford Bridge stopped a four-game winless streak. Yet, the manager criticised unnamed people for not backing him and the team. He did make clear he wasn't talking about the fans.
Cole Palmer scored, which seemed to lift the mood. However, Maresca still seemed upset, despite the win easing some pressure.
"The last two days have been tough because many people didn't support the team and me," he said. Generally speaking.
When asked if he meant the fans, he replied, I love the fans, and we're happy with them.
Maresca made this surprising statement after answering a question about Malo Gusto's performance. Gusto scored Chelsea's second goal.
Earlier, he had mentioned that winning was the only way to stop fans from complaining online. He also reflected on his 30 years in soccer, noting that people complain when you don't win.
It wasn't clear if his comments after the Everton game were aimed at online reactions or something else. However, he defended his players, who ended a tough run that included losses to Leeds and Atalanta, plus a goalless draw at Bournemouth.
The players put in a lot of effort. Reece (James) and Malo usually play as full-backs, but today they were midfielders, he said.
Their effort, willingness to learn, and open minds have been great. That's why I'm praising them. Even with several issues, they're doing well after a hard week.”
Palmer's goal was the highlight of the match. This year has been tough for Palmer, dealing with two injuries.
Wesley Fofana passed to Gusto, who then made an excellent pass. Palmer ran through the defence and scored past the goalkeeper.
"We're a better team with Cole," said Maresca. I really commend the players. We played 16 Premier League games, five without Moises Caicedo, 11 without Cole Palmer, and most without Liam Delap. Whoever plays is doing a great job.
We played almost the entire season without our best player. That's why I'm so happy for the players. I wish people on the outside could appreciate that.
Everton's boss, David Moyes, was disappointed with the loss, which ended his team's good run.
Maybe we played one of our best away games. "We've had some good results away from home," he said.
But we couldn't finish. We missed a couple of runners at times when they showed quality. We stayed close, and that's what we need to do.
WHY WAS COLE PALMER SUBBED? THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE STAMFORD BRIDGE BOOS
Fans booed as Cole Palmer was subbed in Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth. Learn why Maresca was absent and what’s next for the Blues.
After Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth, assistant coach Willy Caballero defended the choice to sub off Cole Palmer, even though fans at Stamford Bridge were angry about Enzo Maresca's move.
Fans booed, yelling, You don't know what you're doing! when Palmer—who'd been one of the team's better players—was taken out in the 63rd minute. The home team was trying to score and break their bad Premier League streak at the time.
Chelsea has only won one of their last seven league games. Caballero said afterward that head coach Enzo Maresca, who wasn't there for the post-game interviews due to illness, is still a role model for everyone at the club.
Still, the pressure is on the coach after yet another result slipped away. Chelsea has now lost 13 points at home from winning positions.
The mood got especially sour when Palmer, who just came back from an injury, was taken off in the second half.
Every fan wants the best players on the field, Caballero said. We do, too. But Cole is coming back from a long injury. So we have to figure out the best substitutions to win the game while also keeping our players healthy. We need them for the entire season.
Caballero said about Maresca's absence, "He hasn't been feeling well for the past two days." He had a fever two days ago. He did the last two practices because he wanted to get the team ready. But after the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in because he wasn't feeling well.
He's handling it well and is very professional. He puts in a lot of hours every day, even when he wasn't feeling well the last two days. He loves to train and coach. He's a role model for me and the rest of the staff.
Bournemouth took the lead after six minutes when David Brooks scored on his second try after Robert Sanchez made a save. Then, Palmer scored a penalty to tie the game for Chelsea.
Next, Enzo Fernandez put the home team ahead, but the Blues couldn't hold on to their lead again. Justin Kluivert tied the score before halftime after Chelsea failed to handle a long throw-in from Antoine Semenyo.
There's been a lot of talk that this would be Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before he moves to Manchester City soon. Before leaving the field, he seemed to say goodbye to the fans who had traveled to see the game.
Still, head coach Andoni Iraola was sure he'd play against Arsenal on Saturday.
It's not his last game here with us, he said. I can't say for sure, but I think he'll play.
He needs to rest. We've played two tough games in three days. We have Arsenal at home, so we're getting ready for another one, a tough game against the leaders. He's going to be important for us.
BREAKING: ENZO MARESCA SKIPS MEDIA AS CHELSEA CRISIS DEEPENS! GET THE HEALTH UPDATE
Enzo Maresca missed the post-match media due to a fever after Chelsea's 2-2 draw. Willy Caballero provides an urgent update on his health.
Enzo Maresca skipped media interviews after Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth because he was sick.
The Blues coach was supposed to chat after his team snagged a point against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
But right before he was about to talk about the game, news dropped that Maresca wasn't feeling good.
So, his assistant, Willy Caballero, stepped in to handle things in west London.
Caballero shared an update on Maresca: He's been under the weather for a couple of days, Caballero said. He had a fever two days ago.
After the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in for him since he wasn't feeling well.
Caballero was asked if he'd be in charge against Manchester City on Sunday, like he was against Villa during Maresca's suspension.
"I'm not sure," he said. I just want Enzo to get better. I think he'll be fine in a day or two.
The draw with Bournemouth means Chelsea has only won one of their last seven Premier League games.
Fans were clearly annoyed during the second half when Cole Palmer was subbed out for Joao Pedro.
Palmer just got back to playing regularly after a groin injury, but some Chelsea fans wondered why he was taken out.
About the boos, Caballero said, "Of course, every fan wants their best players on the field, and so do we."
But Cole is coming off a long injury, so we have to figure out the right subs for the game and also look out for our players since we didn't have him for a while.
Chelsea and Bournemouth had a boring 0-0 draw in their previous match earlier in the month.
But the game at Stamford Bridge was totally different, with Bournemouth taking the lead early on through David Brooks.
Palmer leveled the score with a penalty, and then Enzo Fernandez blasted a shot into the top corner to put Chelsea ahead.
But Chelsea failed to defend a long throw for the second time, allowing Justin Kluivert to score for Bournemouth.
After playing City, Chelsea will face their west London rivals Fulham before an FA Cup game away against Charlton Athletic.