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

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian made a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the previous two days within the organization.

"The way the lads want to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous issues, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us."

When pushed further on what he meant, 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 meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been missing 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 truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, 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 finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without 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 commitment from the players is outstanding."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

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

Maresca specifically took care 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 during July last year.