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

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.

The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.

Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extension option.

"It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things."

He further elaborated, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my focus, 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 Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."

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

Strain After Previous Remarks

Maresca's most recent statement come after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea.

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

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

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

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

Analysis: Unresolved Tension

The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that still create unease.

While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has also been no apology forthcoming, creating the disagreement unaddressed.

The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably strained, leading to concerns it could impact what has up to now been a decent start to the season.

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

The prevailing question is whether this off-field dynamic might begin to disrupt a squad that was just starting to appear settled.