The Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference even after notching a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to consecutive matches.

However, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period within the organization.

"The way the players are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people didn't support us."

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward 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 striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

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

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

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

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

In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had irked him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.