Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious message in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.

Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly shared his frustration over the preceding two days at the organization.

"The way the players are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because several people didn't support us."

Pressed on his meaning, 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 asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five 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 fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to acknowledge because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened 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 in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.