Chelsea's Manager Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to the weekend's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious statement in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points propelled Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to consecutive outings.

But, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.

"The way the players are eager to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of problems, they are performing admirably after a complicated week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the past 48 hours have been the most difficult because a lot of people failed to back us."

Pressed on his meaning, the former Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin 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 played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them minus Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, faced a pre-game news conference 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 online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.