Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Man City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports linking him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation".
The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours about his next move.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract running 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 little room for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my attention, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Strain After Recent Remarks
Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his most difficult since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original remarks had fueled widespread talk of a potential disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about different things. But about the Everton media session, no."
The manager however affirmed he would definitely remain at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to keep backing the team".
In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no deepening of the situation in the open, there has equally been no resolution forthcoming, creating the matter unresolved.
The mood during these press conferences has become notably awkward, leading to concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's on-field situation is positive: they are fourth in the league, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better European position with strong performances in their final games.
The prevailing question is whether this off-field situation might begin to affect a squad that was beginning to look cohesive.
