The Boss Maresca Labels Pre-Match Time as The 'Most Difficult Two Days' with the Club

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's victory against Everton constituted "the most challenging 48 hours" he has experienced at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian delivered a rather mysterious statement in his post-match press conference despite notching a 2-0 win at home thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those points propelled Chelsea once again into the English top flight's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere after a defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to four matches.

Yet, when questioned about the full-back's assist and general performance, Maresca surprisingly shared his displeasure over the preceding 48-hour period within the club.

"The way the squad are eager to improve has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I applaud them - because with numerous issues, they are excelling after a complicated week," he said.

"Since I joined the club, the past 48 hours have been the toughest because a lot of people withheld support from us."

Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

When questioned if he meant people within at Chelsea, he replied: "Broadly speaking. In general," before specifying when asked if it was aimed at supporters or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Injury & Suspension Crisis

Maresca also highlighted Chelsea's ongoing fitness and suspension problems, noting they had been missing star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the campaign, in addition to losing key midfielder Moises Caicedo to a three-match ban and forward Liam Delap to a couple of significant injuries.

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

"And this squad, no matter who is playing, they are performing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so certainly when you see Cole Palmer available, we have said many times that he's our finest player but we play almost all season without our top player.

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

Chelsea's win over Everton strengthened their position in fourth in the Premier League standings, with a Carabao Cup last-eight tie at Cardiff and a league trip to Newcastle to come next week.

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous what exactly prompted Maresca to describe the previous 48 hours as the worst of his tenure as Chelsea manager.

In that period, the Italian had returned with his backroom team and players from Bergamo, conducted a session at Cobham, attended a pre-game press briefing where he appeared relaxed, and secured a victory over an high-flying Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific media reports had irked him, if online comments were a factor, 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, some of whom have still have yet to fully embrace him since his appointment from Leicester during July last year.