Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Blues

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

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference even after earning a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings.

But, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding two days within the club.

"The way the squad are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because several people didn't support us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 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 fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play 5 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 commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's triumph 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 scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.