Blues Boss Maresca Rejects Manchester City Links as Pure Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, addressed the persistent speculation about his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extension available.
"It doesn't affect 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 said many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was linked with a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, currently sitting in fourth position in the top flight, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Tensions Following Previous Comments
Maresca's most recent statement come after he described a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those initial words had sparked widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The Italian did confirm he would definitely remain at the club next season and called on supporters to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an open wound that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter in the open, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unresolved.
The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably strained, leading to concerns it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the season.
Chelsea's sporting position is strong: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have reached the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable Champions League draw with good performances in their final matches.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might begin to disrupt a squad that was just starting to look cohesive.
