Blues Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Speculation as '100%' Rumour

Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has branded recent talk connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation".

The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant in Manchester, addressed the persistent rumours surrounding his future.

Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract that runs until 2029, with a possible extension option.

"It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is no time for such distractions."

He further elaborated, "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 ignore it because I know that is not true."

Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime fixture.

Tensions Following Previous Remarks

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

Those original remarks had sparked widespread speculation of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.

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

The manager did confirm he would definitely stay at the club next season and called on supporters to "continue to support the team".

In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, possibly available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.

Perspective: Unresolved Tension

The apparent strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still create unease.

While there has been no further escalation of the matter publicly, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, creating the matter unaddressed.

The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to concerns it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent start to the campaign.

Chelsea's on-field position is positive: they are in the top four in the league, have reached the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a better Champions League draw with good performances in their remaining matches.

The lingering uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might eventually disrupt a team that was just starting to look cohesive.