The Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious message in his after-game press conference even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the preceding two days at the organization.

"The way the players are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people failed to back us."

When pushed further on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "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: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had irked him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

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