The Manager Enzo Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's win against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The Italian delivered a puzzling comment in his after-game press conference even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to four outings.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his frustration over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"How the lads want to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a complicated week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the former Leicester City manager added: "Worst 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 answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 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 performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to recognize because the effort 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 quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Comments

It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving 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.