The Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult 48 Hours' at the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious comment in his after-game interview despite securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea once again into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's drought without a win to consecutive fixtures.

Yet, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his annoyance over the previous 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the squad are eager to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with so many problems, they are excelling after a difficult week," he commented.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the most difficult because many people didn't support us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. Overall," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness & Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly applaud 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, regardless of who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. 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 the vast majority of the season minus our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people externally to appreciate because the work from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous who or what prompted Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a win over an in-form Everton team.

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

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