The Boss Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious comment in his after-game interview despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the squad want to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with a host of challenges, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.

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

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season without 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 commitment from the players is outstanding."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.