Blues Manager Maresca Dismisses Manchester City Links as Pure Rumour

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 in Manchester, addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding his next move.

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

"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."

He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my focus, 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 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 scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Tensions Following Previous Comments

Maresca's latest statement follow after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea.

Those initial words had sparked considerable talk of a potential rift between the manager and the club's ownership hierarchy.

When asked if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about different things. But about the Everton media session, no."

The Italian however affirmed he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".

In more positive news, Maresca indicated that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December.

Perspective: An 'Open Wound'

The apparent strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an open wound that still create unease.

While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unresolved.

The mood during the manager's press conferences has become notably awkward, raising concerns it could impact what has otherwise been a promising start to the campaign.

Chelsea's on-field position is strong: they are fourth in the league, have reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better European draw with strong results in their final games.

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