Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game press conference despite earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

But, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days within the organization.

"The way the lads are eager to learn has been excellent and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with numerous problems, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because several people failed to back us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager continued: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, remarking 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-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

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

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

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

In that timeframe, the coach had traveled back 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 seemed at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments played a role, 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 fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.