The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious comment in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

However, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the squad are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because several 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 didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I truly praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 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 performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our top player.

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

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.