The Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's win against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian made a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings.

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the players want to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are excelling after a complicated week," he stated.

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

When pushed further on what he meant, the former 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 was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, 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 explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had irked him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.