The Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Period as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

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

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the previous 48-hour period at the club.

"The way the squad want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous issues, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people within at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary issues, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best 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 want people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in fourth 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 unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that period, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

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

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.