The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious comment in his after-game press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to four outings.

However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.

"How the players are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with a host of issues, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."

When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus 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 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our best 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 outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.