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

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game media briefing despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four outings.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous two days within the organization.

"The way the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a difficult week," he said.

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

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 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 responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and engineered a win over an high-flying Everton side.

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 club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.