Chelsea's Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Time as His 'Most Difficult Two Days' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the build-up to Saturday's win against Everton was "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian made a somewhat cryptic statement in his post-match press conference even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to finishes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points sent Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, perhaps lightening the mood after a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's drought without a win to consecutive outings.

But, when questioned about Gusto's contribution and general display, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the previous two days within the organization.

"The way the players are eager to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with so many challenges, they are doing very well after a difficult week," he said.

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

Pressed on his meaning, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 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 replied: "Broadly speaking. Overall," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the press: "I adore the fans and we are very pleased with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's persistent fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for much of the season, as well as being deprived of key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he explained.

"And this squad, regardless of who is playing, they are doing brilliantly. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer there, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus our best 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 want people outside to appreciate because the work from the players is remarkable."

Chelsea's win over Everton cemented their standing in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Over Maresca's Comments

It was ambiguous what exactly caused Maresca to label the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his spell as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, held a training session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he seemed relaxed, and secured a win over an in-form Everton side.

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

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an issue related to the club's supporters, a section of which have not yet fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July 2024.