Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian offered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four matches.

However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his frustration over the previous two days within the club.

"How the squad are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people didn't support us."

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

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.