Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Man 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 once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester, addressed the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.

Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, 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 no time for these kind of things."

He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is without foundation."

Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Tensions After Previous Comments

Maresca's most recent statement come in the wake of he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.

Those initial words had sparked considerable talk of a potential rift between the coach 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 speak about various topics. But about the Everton press conference, no."

The manager however affirmed he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to keep backing the team".

In more positive news, Maresca indicated that sidelined attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.

Perspective: Unresolved Tension

The apparent strain 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, leaving the matter unresolved.

The mood during these press conferences has become notably awkward, raising fears it could impact what has up to now been a promising start to the season.

Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are fourth in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better European position with good performances in their final matches.

The prevailing uncertainty is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look cohesive.