The Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as His 'Toughest 48 Hours' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

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

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four matches.

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the players are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them - because with a host of issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation 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 fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

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

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