Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Links as '100%' Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent reports linking him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in the summer of 2024, is under contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extension option.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my focus, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was linked with Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a lunchtime kick-off.
Tensions Following Recent Comments
Maresca's latest comments come after he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original remarks had fueled widespread speculation of a potential disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about different things. But about the Everton press conference, no."
The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to "continue to support the team".
In more positive news, Maresca revealed that sidelined attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.
Perspective: Unresolved Tension
The apparent strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board remains as an open wound that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has equally been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the matter unresolved.
The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown increasingly strained, raising fears it could impact what has up to now been a decent start to the campaign.
Chelsea's sporting position is positive: they are fourth in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup last four, and can achieve a better European position with strong performances in their remaining matches.
The lingering question is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look cohesive.