Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian made a somewhat cryptic comment in his after-game media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at home thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.

"The way the squad are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because many people withheld support from us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, 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 minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash 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 label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the coach had traveled back 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 appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular 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 only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.