Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Speculation as '100%' Rumour

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded recent talk connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.

The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his future.

Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a possible extra year 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 such distractions."

He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I have stated many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."

Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.

Strain After Previous Remarks

Maresca's most recent comments follow in the wake of he described a previous two-day spell as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.

Those original words had sparked widespread speculation of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.

When pressed if he had since spoken with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no."

The manager did confirm he would definitely remain at the club for the coming campaign and called on supporters to keep backing the team".

In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.

Perspective: Unresolved Tension

The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that still create unease.

While there has been no further escalation of the situation in the open, there has also been no resolution offered, leaving the matter unresolved.

The mood during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign.

Chelsea's sporting position is strong: they are fourth in the Premier League, have reached the League Cup last four, and can achieve a better Champions League draw with good results in their final games.

The lingering uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might begin to disrupt a team that was beginning to appear cohesive.