Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian delivered a puzzling statement in his after-game press conference even after earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive outings.

But, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days within the organization.

"How the lads are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of issues, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he said.

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

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without 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 recognize because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.