Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation".
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, responded to the persistent rumours about his future.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a possible extra year option.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things."
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 honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. 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 in fourth position in the top flight, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Strain After Previous Comments
Maresca's latest statement follow after he referred to a recent 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those original words had fueled widespread speculation of a potential disagreement between the coach 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 building, so we talk about various topics. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club next season and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In more positive news, Maresca indicated that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an open wound that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the matter unaddressed.
The mood during these press conferences has grown notably strained, leading to concerns it could undermine what has up to now been a promising beginning to the campaign.
Chelsea's on-field position is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the League Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better European position with strong results in their final matches.
The prevailing question is whether this off-field situation might begin to affect a team that was beginning to look settled.
