Chelsea's Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a rather mysterious statement in his post-match interview even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.

But, when asked about Gusto's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.

"How the lads want to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus 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 for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our top player.

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

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

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

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had irked him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.