Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh talk connecting him with a move to Manchester City as "100% speculation".
The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "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 focus, I have stated many times, is solely on this club and I'm very proud 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 without foundation."
Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Tensions Following Previous Remarks
Maresca's most recent statement come after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea.
Those original words had sparked widespread talk of a possible rift between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The manager however affirmed he would "absolutely" remain at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, possibly in contention for a match against Aston Villa later this month.
Perspective: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter in the open, there has equally been no resolution offered, leaving the matter unresolved.
The mood during these press conferences has grown notably strained, 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 in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable Champions League draw with good results in their final matches.
The prevailing question is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might begin to disrupt a team that was beginning to look settled.
