The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as The 'Toughest 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the toughest 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a somewhat cryptic message in his after-game media briefing despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four matches.

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

"The way the lads are eager to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous issues, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he said.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Suspension Crisis

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

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

"And this squad, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus 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 recognize because the commitment from the players is fantastic."

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

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at the training ground, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media discourse 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 related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.