The Manager Maresca Describes Pre-Match Period as His 'Toughest Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's win against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian offered a puzzling message in his post-match interview even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to consecutive matches.

However, when asked about the full-back's contribution and general performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his frustration over the preceding two days at the club.

"How the lads want to learn has been excellent and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many issues, they are excelling after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the last 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: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward 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 without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, almost all of them minus 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 certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason 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 standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was unclear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a session at the training ground, faced a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.

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

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an issue involving the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester in July 2024.