The Boss Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Toughest Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca remarked that the preparation to Saturday's triumph against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian offered a somewhat cryptic comment in his after-game press conference even after notching 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, potentially improving the atmosphere after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about Gusto's assist and general performance, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his annoyance over the previous two days within the organization.

"How the squad are eager to improve has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are doing very well after a tricky week," he commented.

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

Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Most difficult 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he answered: "In general. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury and Suspension Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the campaign, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing exceptionally. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play the vast majority of the season without our best player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased 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 win over Everton consolidated their standing in 4th place in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Speculation Over Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and engineered a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online comments were a factor, or if it was something more significant 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 embrace him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.