Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as Pure Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded recent talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year available.
"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 went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my attention, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was linked with Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it 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 After Recent Remarks
Maresca's latest statement come after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had sparked considerable talk of a potential rift between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton press conference, no."
The Italian however affirmed he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged supporters to keep backing the team".
In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, potentially in contention for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still cause concern.
While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has also been no apology offered, leaving the matter unresolved.
The atmosphere during the manager's press conferences has grown increasingly strained, raising concerns it could undermine what has up to now been a decent beginning to the campaign.
Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better European position with strong performances in their remaining games.
The lingering uncertainty is whether this off-field situation might begin to affect a team that was just starting to appear cohesive.
