The Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian offered a puzzling message in his post-match media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive matches.

But, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the previous two days at the organization.

"The way the squad are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people didn't support us."

Pressed on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without 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 performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our best 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 want people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.