The Boss Maresca Calls Lead-Up Time as The 'Worst 48 Hours' at the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to the weekend's victory against Everton constituted "the worst 48 hours" he has experienced with the London club.

The 44-year-old delivered a rather mysterious message in his after-game press conference even after earning a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those crucial points lifted Chelsea back into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the mood following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had stretched the side's winless run to four outings.

But, when questioned about the full-back's assist and overall display, Maresca unexpectedly disclosed his frustration over the preceding 48-hour period within the organization.

"The way the lads are eager to develop has been superb and this is the explanation why I praise them - because with a host of challenges, they are performing admirably after a difficult week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people failed to back us."

Pressed on what he meant, the ex- Leicester City boss elaborated: "Most difficult 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 internally at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are extremely content with the fans."

Injury and Disciplinary Woes

Maresca also drew attention to Chelsea's persistent fitness and disciplinary issues, remarking they had been missing key forward Cole Palmer for a large portion of the season, in addition to being deprived of linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to two serious injuries.

"I really applaud the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, eleven of them minus Cole Palmer, nearly every one of them without Liam Delap," he said.

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing exceptionally. Today was 5 games in 12 days so undoubtedly when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play the vast majority of the season without our top player.

"We play 5 games in the Premier League minus Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so pleased for the players and it's something that I would want people externally to acknowledge because the commitment from the players is outstanding."

Chelsea's success over Everton strengthened their position in 4th place in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Cardiff and a league journey to Newcastle scheduled in the coming days.

Speculation Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was unclear what exactly caused Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the most difficult of his tenure as Chelsea head coach.

In that timeframe, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a training session at the training ground, faced a pre-game news conference where he appeared at ease, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was unclear whether any specific media reports had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from within the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca specifically took care to deny that it was an matter related to the club's supporters, a section of which have still have yet to fully embrace him since his arrival from Leicester in July last year.