The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues

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

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game interview even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's drought without a win to consecutive matches.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the players want to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."

When pushed further on what he meant, 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 asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, remarking 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-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious 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 minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. 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 almost all season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash 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 caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.