The Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match interview despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to consecutive matches.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization.

"The way the players are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people withheld support from us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager 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 within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really praise 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, no matter who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to recognize because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

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 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 in July last year.