Key moments from Enzo Maresca's surprise Chelsea rant and 'lack of support' claim

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Enzo Maresca's side got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge but the Chelsea boss was not happy post-match

Matty Hewitt Football Writer

19:13, 13 Dec 2025

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has hit out at a lack of support after the win over Everton.

Everything you need to know from Enzo Maresca's strange post-match rant after Chelsea's win over Everton:

On the victory's Importance: Enzo Maresca stressed that the 2-0 win against Everton was highly important due to the opposition's recent good form. He asserted that his side completely deserved the three points and commended the players for their fantastic effort.
"Worst 48 hours" comment: Maresca dramatically described the 48 hours before the match as his worst period since joining Chelsea. He attributed this challenging time to a perceived lack of support for him and the team from "people in general."
Clarifying the source of lack of support: When asked to elaborate on the lack of support, Maresca specifically excluded the fans, stating he loves the supporters and is happy with them. He was referring to criticism or lack of backing from a broader, unspecified group, not the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Praise for Cole Palmer: The head coach praised Cole Palmer highly, calling him the team’s best player and noting that Chelsea is a better side when he is available. Maresca emphasised that keeping Palmer fit is the most crucial objective for the remainder of the season.
Dealing with major absences: Maresca defended his squad by highlighting how well they have performed despite facing numerous key absences throughout the season. He noted the team played many games without important players like Moises Caicedo, asking for outside appreciation for their continued commitment.
Praise for full-backs' versatility: He specifically highlighted the impressive versatility of Malo Gusto and Reece James, who performed roles as makeshift midfielders during the game. Maresca praised their "open mind" and willingness to learn new positions, which helped the team manage the challenging conditions.
Taking responsibility for recent defeat: Maresca made a point of taking complete, "100% responsibility" for the recent poor result against Leeds United. He clarified that the loss was a mistake in his lineup and game plan, insisting it was not the players' fault.
Managing player fatigue and rotation: The manager discussed the difficulty of playing five games in 12 days and the resulting need for squad rotation, especially in defence. He mentioned that certain players, like Wesley Fofana, cannot physically manage to play every three days at this stage, forcing changes to the backline.