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

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded fresh talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation".

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

Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in the summer of 2024, has a contract running until 2029, with a potential extra year option.

"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," 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 until 2029. And my attention, 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 connected to Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is without foundation."

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

Strain After Recent Comments

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

Those original words had fueled widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.

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

The Italian did confirm he would definitely remain at the club next season and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".

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

Analysis: An 'Open Wound'

The perceived strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board remains as an open wound that continues to create unease.

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

The atmosphere during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly awkward, raising fears it could impact what has otherwise been a decent start to the campaign.

Chelsea's on-field situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better Champions League draw with good performances in their remaining games.

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