Chelsea Manager Maresca Rejects Man City Links as Pure Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled recent talk linking him with a move to Manchester City as "100% speculation".
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."
He further elaborated, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, 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 connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is without foundation."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.
Tensions After Recent Remarks
Maresca's latest comments follow after he described a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original words had sparked considerable talk of a potential disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we talk about various topics. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to keep backing the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.
Perspective: An 'Open Wound'
The perceived disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that still cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The mood during these media briefings has grown notably awkward, leading to fears it could undermine what has up to now been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's sporting position is strong: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better Champions League position with strong performances in their final matches.
The lingering question is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might eventually affect a squad that was beginning to appear cohesive.