The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old made a rather mysterious statement in his post-match press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to consecutive matches.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.

"The way the lads want to learn has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with so many challenges, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, eleven of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are performing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have 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 like people externally to recognize because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had irked him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.