The Manager Enzo Maresca Describes Lead-Up Period as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's win against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old offered a rather mysterious message in his after-game interview despite notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points sent Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.

However, when questioned about the full-back's contribution and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his frustration over the previous two days at the organization.

"How the players want to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he said.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because several people failed to back 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 questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when queried if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly 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 top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear what exactly prompted Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton side.

It was unclear whether any specific press stories had irked him, if social media comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.