The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview despite earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after 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 general display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the previous two days within the club.

"The way the lads want to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

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

When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager 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 internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all 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 available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play five 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 want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."

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

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

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

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.