Chelsea's Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as The 'Worst Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's win against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The 44-year-old offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game press conference even after notching a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the team's winless run to four fixtures.

However, when asked about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days within the organization.

"How the lads are eager to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I praise them - because with numerous problems, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he commented.

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

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

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, remarking they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

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

"We play 5 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 externally to acknowledge because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton side.

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

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.