Chelsea Boss Maresca Rejects Manchester City Links as '100%' Rumour

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

The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.

Maresca, named Chelsea boss in the summer of 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a possible extra year available.

"It doesn't bother 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 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 connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I ignore it 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 Previous Remarks

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

Those original words had sparked widespread speculation of a potential rift between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.

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

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

In brighter news, Maresca revealed that sidelined attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.

Analysis: An 'Open Wound'

The apparent strain between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an unhealed issue that still cause concern.

While there has been no further escalation of the situation publicly, there has equally been no apology forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed.

The atmosphere during the manager's press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to fears it could impact what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the campaign.

Chelsea's sporting situation is strong: they are fourth in the league, have qualified for the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable European position with strong results in their remaining games.

The lingering question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually disrupt a squad that was beginning to appear cohesive.