The Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his after-game media briefing despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.

However, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the players are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he said.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the former 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 replied: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

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 season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing 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 the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is fantastic."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton side.

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

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.