The Boss Maresca Calls Pre-Match Period as The 'Toughest 48 Hours' with the Blues

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca stated that the run-up to Saturday's triumph against Everton represented "the most challenging 48 hours" since his arrival with the London club.

The 44-year-old delivered a puzzling statement in his after-game media briefing even after notching a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge through strikes from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto.

Those three precious points lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four, potentially improving the atmosphere following a loss to Atalanta in the Champions League that had extended the side's winless run to consecutive matches.

However, when questioned about Gusto's assist and overall performance, Maresca surprisingly divulged his frustration over the previous 48-hour period at the organization.

"The way the players want to develop has been fantastic and this is the explanation why I commend them - because with numerous challenges, they are excelling after a tricky week," he said.

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

When pushed further on the specifics, the ex- Leicester City manager elaborated: "Worst 48 hours since I came to the club because people failed to back me and the team."

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

Injury and Disciplinary Crisis

Maresca also pointed to Chelsea's ongoing injury and suspension problems, remarking they had been without star attacker Cole Palmer for much of the season, in addition to losing linchpin Moises Caicedo to a three-game ban and striker Liam Delap to two significant injuries.

"I truly commend the players and the squad because we have played 16 Premier League games, 5 of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them minus 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 5 games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer playing, we have said many times that he's our best player but we play the vast majority of the season minus 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 outside to acknowledge because the work from the players is remarkable."

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

Uncertainty Regarding Maresca's Remark

It was ambiguous who or what caused Maresca to describe the past 48 hours as the most difficult of his time as Chelsea head coach.

In that window, the coach had returned with his backroom team and players from his native Italy, held a session at Cobham, attended a pre-match press briefing where he seemed at ease, and secured a victory over an in-form Everton team.

It was not obvious whether any specific press stories had unsettled him, if online comments played a role, or if it was something deeper from inside the club at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca only sought to deny that it was an matter involving the club's fans, a section of which have still have yet to fully warm to him since his appointment from Leicester in July last year.