Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Speculation as '100%' Gossip

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded fresh talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.

The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, responded to the persistent rumours about his next move.

Maresca, named Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract running until 2029, with a possible extension option.

"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 these kind of things."

He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was linked with a role in Italy with Juventus. So I ignore it because I know that is not true."

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

Strain After Recent Remarks

Maresca's latest statement come after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.

Those initial remarks had fueled considerable speculation of a potential disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.

When pressed if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's sporting directors, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no."

The Italian however affirmed he would definitely stay at the club next season and called on the fans to "continue to support the team".

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

Perspective: Unresolved Tension

The perceived strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that continues to cause concern.

While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has also been no apology forthcoming, creating the matter unresolved.

The mood during the manager's press conferences has become increasingly strained, leading to concerns it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the season.

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

The prevailing uncertainty is whether this off-field situation might eventually affect a squad that was beginning to look cohesive.