The Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian made a rather mysterious comment in his post-match media briefing despite securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points sent Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to four matches.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his frustration over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the players want to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a tricky 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 withheld support from us."

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

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

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

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.