Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports linking him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.

The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.

Maresca, named Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extra year available.

"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is little room for such distractions."

He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my focus, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud 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 fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a lunchtime kick-off.

Strain After Previous Remarks

Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a recent 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.

Those original words had fueled considerable speculation of a potential rift between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.

When pressed if he had since spoken with the Chelsea'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 Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club next season and urged supporters to "continue to support the team".

In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, possibly in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.

Analysis: An 'Open Wound'

The perceived strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an unhealed issue that continues to create unease.

While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.

The mood during these press conferences has become notably strained, leading to fears it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the season.

Chelsea's on-field position is strong: they are fourth in the league, have reached the Carabao Cup last four, and can secure a better Champions League position with good performances in their remaining games.

The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might begin to disrupt a squad that was beginning to look settled.