The Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four outings.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the squad want to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people didn't support us."

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "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 responded: "In general. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match 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, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our top 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 recognize because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final 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 prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton team.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.