The Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Blues

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

The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to four outings.

But, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his frustration over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the squad want to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people withheld support from us."

Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Worst 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 answered: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we 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 said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. 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 almost all season minus our best player.

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

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.