The Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

"How the squad are eager to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people didn't support us."

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

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus 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 fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie 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 label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

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