The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.

"How the players want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because several people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season minus our best player.

"We play five 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 like people externally to appreciate because the work from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.