The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to Saturday's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling statement in his after-game interview even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his frustration over the previous two days within the organization.

"The way the lads want to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

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

Fitness & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, 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, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top 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 explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place 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 Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.

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

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