Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Period as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The 44-year-old made a puzzling message in his post-match interview despite securing a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

But, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the previous two days within the club.

"The way the lads want to develop has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of issues, they are excelling after a difficult week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the most difficult because several people failed to back us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really praise 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, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we 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 commitment from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton strengthened their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come in the coming days.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

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

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had irked him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.