The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian made a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to four outings.

However, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

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

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

When pushed further on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant 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 minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason 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 remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

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

In that period, the coach had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.