Blues Boss Maresca Rejects Man City Speculation as Pure Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the persistent rumours surrounding 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 potential extension available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I said 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 connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime kick-off.
Tensions Following Recent Comments
Maresca's latest statement follow after he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had sparked widespread talk of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no."
The Italian did confirm he would definitely remain at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to "continue to support the team".
In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, possibly available for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The apparent strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board remains as an unhealed issue that still create unease.
While there has been no deepening of the situation in the open, there has also been no apology forthcoming, leaving the matter unresolved.
The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly strained, leading to concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's on-field position is strong: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better Champions League position with good results in their final games.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this off-field situation might begin to affect a team that was just starting to look settled.