Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Rumour

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded fresh reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.

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

Maresca, appointed Chelsea boss in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extra year available.

"It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time 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 solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was linked with 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 this Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Tensions Following Recent Remarks

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

Those original words had fueled considerable speculation of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.

When asked if he had since spoken with the club'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 manager did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to keep backing the team".

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

Analysis: Unresolved Tension

The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board remains as an open wound that continues to 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 mood during these media briefings has become increasingly strained, raising fears it could impact what has up to now been a decent start to the campaign.

Chelsea's on-field situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable European position with good results in their final games.

The prevailing question is whether this behind-the-scenes dynamic might begin to disrupt a team that was beginning to appear cohesive.