Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Speculation 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 once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.

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

"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "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 attention, I have stated many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. 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 on Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Tensions Following Recent Comments

Maresca's most recent statement follow after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his "worst" since joining Chelsea.

Those original remarks had fueled widespread talk of a possible rift between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.

When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's sporting directors, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton press conference, no."

The Italian did confirm he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged supporters to keep backing the team".

In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, potentially in contention for a match against Aston Villa later this month.

Perspective: An 'Open Wound'

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

While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has equally been no resolution offered, creating the matter unaddressed.

The mood during the manager's media briefings has become notably 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 fourth in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better Champions League draw with strong results in their final games.

The lingering question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look settled.