Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling comment in his after-game interview despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days at the club.

"The way the players are eager to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people didn't support us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back 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 fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I truly applaud 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 said.

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

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated 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 next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.