Chelsea's Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as His 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old delivered a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game media briefing even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive matches.

However, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the lads are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of issues, they are excelling after a difficult week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to recognize because the commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success 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 journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the Italian had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

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

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