Chelsea's Boss Enzo Maresca Labels Lead-Up Time as His 'Worst 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca revealed that the build-up to the weekend's victory against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" of his tenure with the London club.

The Italian made a rather mysterious message in his after-game media briefing even after earning a 2-0 win at home thanks to strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

Yet, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca surprisingly divulged his displeasure over the preceding two days at the organization.

"The way the lads want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous problems, they are performing admirably after a tricky week," he stated.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the worst because many people withheld support from us."

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss continued: "Most difficult 48 hours since I joined the club because people failed to back me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before clarifying when queried if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I adore the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's ongoing injury and disciplinary problems, noting they had been without key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as losing linchpin 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 played 16 Premier League games, five of them minus 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 doing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play almost all season without our top player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so delighted for the players and it's something that I would like people outside to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is fantastic."

Chelsea's triumph over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Comments

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the worst of his spell as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had traveled back with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, faced a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a win over an high-flying Everton side.

It was hard to discern whether any particular media reports had irked him, if social media discourse were a factor, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester during July 2024.