Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling message in his post-match media briefing despite notching a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four fixtures.

However, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days at the organization.

"The way the lads want to develop has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of problems, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he said.

"Since I joined 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 elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that window, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had irked him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.