The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match interview even after earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially lightening the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four matches.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding two days at the organization.

"How the squad are eager to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with a host of challenges, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because several people withheld support from us."

Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker 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 serious injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without 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 performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.