The Boss Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a puzzling statement in his after-game media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period at the club.

"The way the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he commented.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to 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 extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased 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 consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

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