Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca recently clarified his sentiments about the club and his players, expressing happiness and a growing bond, just days after a public statement describing a period as 'the worst 48 hours' of his tenure. The Blues have seen mixed events on the pitch, securing a fourth-place position in the Premier League after a significant victory over Everton, and progressing to the Carabao Cup semi-finals by defeating League One side Cardiff City 3-1 in south Wales.

Maresca's initial comments, made after the Everton win, caused a stir as he stated that the two days preceding the match were 'the worst since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team'. The target of these remarks remained ambiguous, with Maresca declining to elaborate during a subsequent news conference.

However, following the Carabao Cup victory against Cardiff – a match where substitute goals from Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho were crucial for progression – Maresca offered a more positive outlook. He reaffirmed his belief in the support he receives, stating, 'I said many times in many press conferences, the support, they have always been there, knowing that any supporters in the world when you don't win, they are not happy.' He acknowledged that fan unhappiness during losing spells is normal but maintained that 'overall, the fans have always been there.'

The Italian manager concluded by emphasizing his deepening connection with his squad, particularly after challenging fixtures. He remarked, 'I just said that these are the kind of games that I fall in love even more with the players because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip, to slide, because they are tricky games.' This indicates a strong appreciation for his team's resilience in difficult circumstances, further highlighting the nuanced nature of his public statements and his evolving relationship with the club and its supporters.