The Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview despite securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four outings.

But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period within the organization.

"How the squad are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with so many problems, 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 toughest because a lot of people failed to back us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 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: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game 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 minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.