Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian made a rather mysterious message in his after-game press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four matches.

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days at the club.

"How the players want to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people didn't support us."

Pressed on his meaning, 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 asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that period, 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-game news conference where he seemed at ease, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was unclear whether any particular media reports had irked him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought 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 during July 2024.