Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as Pure Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent reports linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester, addressed the ongoing rumours about his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."
He further elaborated, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is solely on this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was linked with a role in Italy with Juventus. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation."
Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the top flight, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
Tensions After Recent Comments
Maresca's latest statement follow after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since arriving at Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had sparked widespread speculation of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the post-Everton press conference, no."
The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club next season and called on the fans to "continue to support the team".
In more positive news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, possibly available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Perspective: Unresolved Tension
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that continues to create unease.
While there has been no further escalation of the situation publicly, there has equally been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The atmosphere during these media briefings has become notably strained, leading to fears it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the season.
Chelsea's on-field situation is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup last four, and can achieve a favourable Champions League draw with strong results in their remaining games.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this off-field situation might eventually disrupt a squad that was beginning to appear cohesive.
