Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Calls Lead-Up Time as The 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The 44-year-old made a puzzling statement in his after-game interview even after securing a 2-0 win at home thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four matches.

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

"The way the players are eager to develop has been excellent and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many problems, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he commented.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

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

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

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

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had irked him, if online discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.