Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Toughest Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian offered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive outings.

However, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"How the lads are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of challenges, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because many 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 asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much 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 commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

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

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

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

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.