Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to four outings.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his frustration over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

"The way the squad are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous issues, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people didn't support us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the effort from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.