Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded fresh talk connecting him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, responded to the persistent speculation about his future.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract running through the end of the decade, with a possible extension option.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things."
He further elaborated, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was linked with Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Tensions Following Recent Remarks
Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those initial words had sparked widespread speculation of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about various topics. But about the Everton press conference, no."
The Italian however affirmed he would definitely remain at the club next season and called on supporters to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, possibly available for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that still cause concern.
While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has equally been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The atmosphere during the manager's media briefings has grown notably awkward, leading to fears it could impact what has up to now been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's on-field situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a favourable European position with good performances in their remaining games.
The prevailing question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually affect a team that was beginning to look cohesive.
