Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian made a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.

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

"The way the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous challenges, they are excelling after a complicated week," he commented.

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

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

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, 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 explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to acknowledge because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.