The Boss Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian made a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four outings.

However, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his displeasure over the previous two days at the club.

"How the squad are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of issues, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious 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, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

"We play five 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 want people externally to recognize because the effort from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the coach had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.