The Manager Maresca Describes Lead-Up Time as The 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the build-up to Saturday's victory against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious comment in his post-match press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to consecutive outings.

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

"How the players are eager to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of issues, they are doing very well after a complicated week," he commented.

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

When pushed further on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus 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 on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our top player.

"We play 5 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 like people externally to appreciate because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

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

In that window, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any particular press stories had irked him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.