Enzo Maresca categorically insists he has no intention of leaving Chelsea for Manchester City this summer in the event of Pep Guardiola’s exit, though the murmurs of disharmony behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge are unlikely to disappear any time soon.
Maresca was quizzed on being linked with City less than a week after he invited scrutiny on his relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy, having said ‘many people’ caused his ‘worst 48 hours’ with a lack of ‘support’ in the build-up to their beating of Everton.
The Italian dismissed the City links as ‘100 per cent speculation’ as he previewed their next Premier League clash with Newcastle and pointed to his contract which runs until 2029, with Chelsea also holding the option of an additional year.
However, Maresca appeared to respond to claims made last weekend by club sources who described his post-Everton outburst as an ‘emotional reaction to an emotional win’.
Speaking on Friday, Maresca contradicted those claims by saying: ‘What I said, it was not an emotional reaction. It was not an emotional reaction. I said what I said. Full stop.’
On whether he could promise supporters that he would still be at Chelsea next season, Maresca said: ‘Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029, and this is speculation, 100 per cent.
Talk of Enzo Maresca’s discontent at Chelsea will rumble on – but he has promised he will be at the club next season amid links to Manchester City
‘I don’t have anything to add, because again, I don’t pay attention. If we continue to talk about that, that means that I’m paying attention to that, but I’m not focused on that.
‘I’m focused on the Newcastle game. I’m focused on my job. Again, I signed a contract last year until 2029. I’m happy with that, and no more than that.
‘It doesn’t affect me at all because I know that is 100 per cent speculation. One week ago in Italy, it was the same with Juventus. I don’t pay attention because I know that is not true.’
Maresca assisted Guardiola during City’s treble-winning season of 2022-23, recently switched to be represented by the ‘super agent’ Jorge Mendes, and has repeatedly refused to explain his post-Everton remarks which invited speculation on his situation.
Asked whether he had spoken to Chelsea’s sporting directors, Maresca said: ‘Yes, we are in the same building. We speak about different things. But about the Everton press conference? No.’
Mystery still surrounds why Maresca said what he did. Some have speculated he wants a greater say in transfers, but when that was put to Chelsea’s head coach yesterday, he said: ‘No, no, absolutely not. No, no, no. I’m happy with the squad. The reason why I signed with this club, if you remember I have said many times, is because I think the squad is very good.’
Others have suggested he does not like his decisions being questioned by his superiors, with Maresca having regular debriefs with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. The Italian also batted away that suggestion, saying: ‘We have seven, eight coaching staff that analyse minute after minutes of every game but for sure you can take suggestions from anyone.’
Asked if he would pen a new deal if offered one, Maresca said: ‘If the club offered me a new contract? This is a question for the club, if I deserve a new contract.’
