The Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to the weekend's triumph against Everton represented "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at home through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to consecutive fixtures.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period at the club.

"How the lads want to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people didn't support us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 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 internally at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to appreciate because the work from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear who or what prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.