The Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton constituted "the toughest 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The 44-year-old offered a somewhat cryptic statement in his after-game interview despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the preceding two days within the organization.

"The way the players want to develop has been fantastic and this is the reason why I applaud them - because with numerous challenges, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he stated.

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

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

When asked if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards fans or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very content with the fans."

Fitness & Suspension Woes

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension issues, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, as well as losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of serious injuries.

"I truly 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, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus 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 recognize because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Comments

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

In that timeframe, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at the training ground, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton team.

It was hard to discern whether any particular press stories had irked him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from within the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue related to the club's fans, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.