Chelsea's Manager Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious statement in his after-game press conference even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially lightening the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four fixtures.

But, when asked about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his annoyance over the preceding 48-hour period at the club.

"How the players want to improve has been excellent and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with a host of problems, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people failed to back us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City manager continued: "Most difficult 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 within at Chelsea, he answered: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was directed towards supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's persistent injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

"We play five 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 want people externally to appreciate because the work from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their position in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

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

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-game news conference where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any specific press stories had irked him, if social media discourse played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, some of whom have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.