The Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious statement in his after-game media briefing despite securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four fixtures.

But, when questioned about the full-back's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days within the club.

"The way the lads are eager to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because several people failed to back us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to 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 extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, 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 the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.