Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to Saturday's victory against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian made a rather mysterious message in his after-game interview even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive matches.

But, when questioned about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the previous two days at the club.

"The way the players are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because several people failed to back us."

Pressed on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have 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 explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their position 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.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.