Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

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

Those crucial points lifted 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 team's winless run to consecutive matches.

But, when questioned about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.

"The way the players want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss continued: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really commend 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, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play five 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 like people externally to recognize because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

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

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.