The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic comment in his after-game press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive fixtures.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the players are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people withheld support from us."

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

When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to losing linchpin 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 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 doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our top 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 like people externally to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.