By not explaining 'worst 48 hours' Enzo Maresca has put himself at even greater risk | Jacob Steinberg

"It was unclear why he decided that a standard home win over Everton, who have a dismal record at Stamford Bridge, was the time to air frustration with the criticism that followed last week's defeat against Atalanta in the Champions League. He did not single anyone out, but he was not talking about supporters and he gives no indication that he cares about the media, so he can not complain about outsiders assuming there are issues either with Chelsea's owners or their sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley."

"Saying repeatedly he had nothing to add, he mused that we are in an era where everyone can say what they want. An insistence his comments were quite clear was laughable. It continued with Maresca refusing to reveal whether he has spoken to his bosses since Saturday. After much prompting, he later relented and said:It's OK, it's good, when asked about his relationship with the ownership."

"He added that owners are the most important figures at any club as they put the money in. While the 45-year-old said he remains happy at Chelsea, he declined to retract his comments about those 48 hours. It had been a tough fortnight for Chelsea, who followed fine performances against Arsenal and Barcelona by losing at Leeds and drawing at Bournemouth before the reverse in Bergamo."

Enzo Maresca rebuffed questions about his cryptic post-match comments after Chelsea's win over Everton and reacted with exasperation when asked whether he regretted saying a lack of support from unspecified people had put him through his worst 48 hours since joining the club. He gave no indication that he had spoken to the owners or sporting directors and declined to name who he was referring to. He later said his relationship with ownership was 'OK' and that owners are the most important figures because they provide the money. He remains happy at Chelsea but refused to retract his remarks.

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