Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as Pure Gossip
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh talk connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract running through the end of the decade, with a possible extension option.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "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 attention, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation."
Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Strain After Previous Comments
Maresca's latest comments follow after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.
Those original words had sparked considerable speculation of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.
When pressed if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton press conference, no."
The manager however affirmed he would "absolutely" stay at the club next season and called on supporters to "continue to support the team".
In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, possibly in contention for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Perspective: An 'Open Wound'
The apparent strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still create unease.
While there has been no further escalation of the situation publicly, there has equally been no resolution forthcoming, creating the disagreement unaddressed.
The mood during the manager's press conferences has become increasingly awkward, raising concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a promising start to the campaign.
Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are fourth in the league, have reached the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable European draw with strong performances in their final matches.
The lingering uncertainty is whether this off-field situation might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look cohesive.
