Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh talk connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation".
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, responded to the ongoing rumours about his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in the summer of 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 100% speculation," 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 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, currently sitting in fourth position in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Strain After Recent 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 potential rift between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When asked if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about different things. But about the Everton press conference, no."
The Italian however affirmed he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged supporters to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca indicated that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, possibly in contention for a match against Aston Villa later this month.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that continues to create unease.
While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has equally been no apology forthcoming, creating the disagreement unaddressed.
The atmosphere during these media briefings has become increasingly strained, raising concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the season.
Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better Champions League draw with strong results in their final matches.
The lingering uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might begin to affect a squad that was just starting to look settled.
