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

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old made a rather mysterious comment in his after-game media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four matches.

But, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

"How the players want to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with numerous issues, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.

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

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 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 answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 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 doing exceptionally. 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 best player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had irked him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.