The Manager Maresca Calls Pre-Match Time as His 'Worst Two Days' at the Blues

Chelsea tactician Enzo Maresca revealed that the preparation to Saturday's triumph against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old offered a puzzling comment in his after-game interview despite earning a 2-0 win at home through goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

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

But, when asked about Gusto's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly divulged his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.

"How the players want to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with numerous challenges, they are excelling after a complicated week," he stated.

"From the moment I arrived at the club, the previous 48 hours have been the worst because several people withheld support from us."

When pushed further on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City manager added: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he was referring to people within at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. Overall," before specifying when queried if it was directed towards fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely happy with the fans."

Fitness and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and striker Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really commend the players and the squad because we 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 said.

"And this squad, no matter who is on the pitch, they are doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our top player but we play almost all season minus our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the explanation why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people outside to acknowledge because the effort from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's win over Everton consolidated their standing in fourth in the Premier League table, with a Carabao Cup last-eight clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Remark

It was not immediately clear who or what caused Maresca to label the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the coach had traveled back with his staff and players from his native Italy, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game news conference where he appeared relaxed, and engineered a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any particular media reports had unsettled him, if social media comments played a role, or if it was something more significant from inside the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to rule out that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, some of whom have not yet fully warm to him since his arrival from Leicester during July 2024.