The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian made a rather mysterious message in his post-match media briefing despite earning a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.

"How the lads are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

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

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy 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 still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.