The Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Club

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

The 44-year-old made a rather mysterious comment in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four fixtures.

However, when asked about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days at the club.

"The way the squad want to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- 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 internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, 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 minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is fantastic."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.