Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian offered a puzzling statement in his after-game press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive fixtures.

But, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the previous two days at the club.

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

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

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder 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, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our best player.

"We play five 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 like people externally to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."

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

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.

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

It was unclear whether any particular media reports had irked him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.