The Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Worst Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his post-match interview despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days within the organization.

"The way the lads are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly commend 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, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our best player.

"We play five 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 want people outside to recognize because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 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 Bergamo, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.