Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Links as Pure Gossip
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded fresh reports linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, responded to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a potential extension option.
"It doesn't affect 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, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. 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 linked with Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the top flight, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off.
Tensions Following Recent Remarks
Maresca's most recent comments follow in the wake of he referred to a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.
Those original remarks had sparked widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about different things. But about the Everton media session, no."
The Italian did confirm he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, creating the disagreement unresolved.
The mood during these media briefings has become notably strained, leading to concerns it could impact what has up to now been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's on-field situation is positive: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the Carabao Cup last four, and can achieve a favourable European draw with strong performances in their final games.
The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might begin to disrupt a squad that was just starting to appear cohesive.
