Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

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

The 44-year-old made a puzzling comment in his after-game press conference despite notching 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, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive fixtures.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca surprisingly disclosed his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.

"The way the lads want to develop has been fantastic and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he commented.

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

Pressed on the specifics, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 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 replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked 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 ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to recognize because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

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

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

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.