The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's victory against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian made a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to four fixtures.

However, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the preceding two days at the club.

"How the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

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

Fitness and Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I truly praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our best 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 want people externally to recognize because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.