The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his post-match media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at home through strikes 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 mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous two days within the club.

"How the lads want to learn has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of problems, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because many people failed to back us."

When pushed further on his meaning, 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 questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

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

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their position 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 next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.