Chelsea's Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match interview even after securing a 2-0 win at home courtesy of finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points propelled Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, perhaps improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the team's winless run to four fixtures.

However, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall performance, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his annoyance over the previous two days at the club.

"How the lads are eager to improve has been superb and this is the reason why I commend them - because with so many issues, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

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

When pushed further on the specifics, the former Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he responded: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely pleased with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 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 playing, they are performing brilliantly. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the 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 want people outside to appreciate because the effort from the players is outstanding."

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

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that window, the Italian had returned with his staff and players from his native Italy, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a win over an in-form Everton side.

It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something deeper from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester during July last year.