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

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton represented "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 Stamford Bridge thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

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

"How the squad want to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he said.

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

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top 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 delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."

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

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton team.

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

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