The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his post-match media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days within the club.

"How the lads are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people failed to back us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked 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 highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have 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 reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous 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 his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.