Chelsea's Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a somewhat cryptic comment in his post-match media briefing despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the mood after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive fixtures.

But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the previous 48-hour period within the organization.

"How the players are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many challenges, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he said.

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

When pushed further on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are performing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our top 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 delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from Bergamo, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game news conference where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

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