Chelsea Manager Maresca Rejects Man City Links as '100%' Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled recent talk connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester, addressed the ongoing rumours surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a possible extension option.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."
He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, 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 connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Tensions Following Recent Remarks
Maresca's latest statement come in the wake of he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had fueled considerable speculation of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no."
The Italian did confirm he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.
Analysis: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an unhealed issue that still create unease.
While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The atmosphere during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly strained, raising concerns it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the season.
Chelsea's on-field position is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have reached the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable European position with strong results in their final games.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might begin to affect a squad that was just starting to appear settled.
