The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game interview even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to consecutive matches.

Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

"How the squad are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, 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 worst because a lot of people failed to back us."

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss 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 internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.