Chelsea's Boss Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match interview even after notching a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive matches.

Yet, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization.

"How the lads are eager to develop has been superb and this is the reason why I commend them - because with numerous problems, they are excelling after a tricky week," he commented.

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

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager continued: "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 internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly 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 without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to recognize because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

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