Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as Pure Gossip

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

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

Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year option.

"It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."

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 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 don't pay attention because I know that is not true."

Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.

Strain After Recent Remarks

Maresca's latest comments come in the wake of he referred to a previous two-day spell as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.

Those original words had sparked widespread talk of a potential rift 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 press conference, no."

The Italian however affirmed he would "absolutely" remain at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to keep backing the team".

In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back sooner than expected, possibly available for a match against Aston Villa later this month.

Analysis: An 'Open Wound'

The apparent strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board remains as an unhealed issue that continues to cause concern.

While there has been no deepening of the matter in the open, there has also been no apology forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unresolved.

The mood during the manager's press conferences has become increasingly awkward, leading to fears it could undermine what has up to now been a promising start to the season.

Chelsea's sporting position is strong: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the League Cup last four, and can achieve a favourable European draw with strong performances in their remaining games.

The lingering uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look settled.