The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling comment in his post-match media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four outings.

Yet, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the players are eager to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because a lot of people failed to back us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, 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 praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

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

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 issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.