Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian offered a rather mysterious message in his post-match media briefing despite securing a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

But, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the lads are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because several people failed to back us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"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 there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to recognize because the commitment 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 last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

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

In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton team.

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

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.