Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old offered a puzzling comment in his post-match press conference despite securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

However, when asked about Gusto's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the previous two days within the organization.

"How the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because several 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 within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

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

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the coach had traveled back with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-match news conference where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.