Chelsea Boss Maresca Rejects Man City Links as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled recent reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, responded to the ongoing speculation about his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea boss in the summer of 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year available.
"It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I have stated many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. 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, currently sitting in fourth position in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
Tensions After Previous Remarks
Maresca's most recent statement come after he described a previous two-day spell as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those original words had fueled widespread speculation of a potential rift 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 building, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no."
The Italian however affirmed he would definitely stay at the club next season and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, potentially in contention for a match against Aston Villa later this month.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, creating the disagreement unresolved.
The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown notably strained, raising concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the campaign.
Chelsea's sporting position is positive: they are in the top four in the league, have reached the League Cup last four, and can achieve a favourable European position with strong results in their final matches.
The prevailing question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually disrupt a squad that was just starting to look cohesive.