Chelsea Boss Maresca Rejects Manchester City Speculation as '100%' Gossip

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

The Italian manager, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the ongoing speculation 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 extension available.

"It doesn't bother 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 until 2029. And my focus, I have stated many times, is solely on this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was linked with a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."

Chelsea, currently sitting in fourth position in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Strain Following Previous Remarks

Maresca's latest comments come after he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea.

Those initial remarks had fueled considerable talk of a potential disagreement between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.

When asked if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we speak about various topics. But about the post-Everton press conference, no."

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

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

Analysis: An 'Open Wound'

The perceived disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still cause concern.

While there has been no deepening of the situation publicly, there has equally been no apology offered, leaving the disagreement unresolved.

The atmosphere during the manager's press conferences has become notably strained, raising fears it could undermine what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign.

Chelsea's on-field situation is strong: they are fourth in the Premier League, have qualified for the League Cup last four, and can secure a better Champions League position with good performances in their final matches.

The lingering uncertainty is whether this off-field dynamic might begin to disrupt a team that was just starting to appear settled.