Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' with the Club

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

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four fixtures.

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his frustration over the preceding two days within the organization.

"The way the squad want to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people withheld support from us."

Pressed on the specifics, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

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

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

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

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

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.