Chelsea Boss Maresca Rejects Man City Speculation as Pure Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded recent talk linking him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extension 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 went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I ignore it because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the top flight, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Tensions After Previous Comments
Maresca's most recent comments follow in the wake of he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original words had sparked considerable speculation of a possible rift between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had since spoken with the Chelsea'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 "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged 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 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 club's hierarchy persists as an open wound that continues to create unease.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has also been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.
The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown notably strained, leading to concerns it could impact what has up to now been a promising beginning to the season.
Chelsea's sporting position is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better Champions League draw with good performances in their remaining matches.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this off-field dynamic might begin to affect a team that was beginning to look cohesive.
