Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled recent talk connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation about his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible 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 went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, 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 connected to Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is without foundation."
Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
Tensions Following Previous Remarks
Maresca's most recent statement follow in the wake of he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original remarks had sparked widespread talk of a possible rift between the coach and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton press conference, no."
The Italian 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 indicated that injured attackers 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 remains as an open wound that continues to create unease.
While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, creating the matter unresolved.
The mood during the manager's press conferences has become notably awkward, leading to concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the season.
Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are fourth in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better Champions League position with good results in their remaining games.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might eventually affect a squad that was just starting to look settled.