Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match interview even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four fixtures.

But, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days within the club.

"The way the lads are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are excelling after a difficult week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because several people withheld support from us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 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: "In general. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing 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 best player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play five 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 want people externally to appreciate because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.