Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive outings.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his annoyance over the previous two days at the club.

"The way the squad are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I truly praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

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

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

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

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something deeper 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 still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.