London, UK - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has ignited a storm of controversy following his team's 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Stamford Bridge. In a post-match interview, Maresca stated that he had endured his "worst 48 hours" since joining the club in the summer of 2024, citing a lack of support from "many people".
The comments, which came after a win that ended a four-game winless streak in all competitions and propelled Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League, have sparked confusion and speculation. Maresca was responding to a question about Malo Gusto's performance, who assisted Cole Palmer's opening goal and scored the second himself.
When pressed to clarify the source of the lack of support, Maresca was evasive, stating it was "in general". He explicitly excluded the Chelsea fans from his criticism, saying, "I love the fans, and we are very happy with the fans". This has led to speculation that his frustrations stem from elsewhere within the club, possibly the Chelsea hierarchy or the media.
Maresca's remarks have been interpreted as a "strange post-match rant". The timing of the outburst is particularly curious, as it was not foreshadowed in his pre-game press conference. Some observers suggest that Maresca may have been responding to online criticism or a general sense of negativity surrounding the team's recent performances. Prior to the Everton match, Chelsea suffered losses to Leeds United and Atalanta, as well as a draw against Bournemouth.
Maresca defended his squad, highlighting the numerous absences of key players throughout the season. He specifically mentioned games played without Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer and asked for "outside appreciation" for the team's commitment. He also praised the versatility of full-backs Malo Gusto and Reece James, who have filled in as midfielders.
The Chelsea manager has faced criticism earlier in the season, including from club legend John Terry, who suggested that Maresca was rotating the team too often. Maresca responded diplomatically to Terry's claims, pointing to the high number of games and the injury-prone nature of some players.
In January 2025, some Chelsea fans demanded that Maresca drop goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. Fans have also voiced their displeasure during games, with reports of booing and "flak" directed at Maresca during a match against Ipswich in April.
Despite the recent criticism, Maresca has also received praise for his tactical flexibility and the team's strong performances earlier in the season, including a draw against Arsenal with ten men and a Champions League victory over Barcelona. He has taken "100% responsibility" for the loss against Leeds United, attributing it to his own lineup and game plan.
The "worst 48 hours" comment has raised questions about Maresca's relationship with the Chelsea management and the overall atmosphere at the club. While the victory over Everton has eased some of the pressure, Maresca's future at Chelsea remains a topic of discussion.
