ENZO MARESCA DISMISSES CITY RUMORS: "100% SPECULATION," PLEDGES LOYALTY TO CHELSEA UNTIL 2029
Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca shuts down Man City rumours, confirms commitment until 2029, and provides a key Liam Delap injury update.
Chelsea's coach, Enzo Maresca, brushed off rumours about him possibly replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, calling them 100 per cent speculation.
Reports came out Thursday saying that City had put Maresca on their list of possible replacements if Guardiola leaves after this season.
Maresca used to coach City's Under-23 team and was also Guardiola's assistant before he left for Leicester in 2023.
This comes just days after Maresca didn't explain comments that seemed to criticise the lack of backing from Chelsea's bosses, which made people think things weren't going well at the club.
When asked about the City rumours before Saturday's game against Newcastle, Maresca said, It doesn't bother me. It's all just guessing!
I don't have time for that. I'm under contract here until 2029. I'm only thinking about this club. I'm really proud to be here.
It's just rumours. Last week, it was the same with Juventus. I don't care because I know it's not true.
The media put out this fake news due to various incentives.
It's important to understand that the incentives for this news were there. It's their job, but I don't care at all. The players are thinking about Newcastle.
When asked if he could promise he'd be at Chelsea next season, he said, Yes, for sure. I have a contract until 2029.
It's all guessing, 100 per cent. I have nothing else to say. I don't pay any attention to it. If we keep talking about it, then I'm paying attention. I'm just focused on Newcastle and my job.
After Chelsea's win against Everton last weekend, Maresca said that the previous two days had been the worst since he'd been at the club and that he and the players hadn't gotten the support he expected during a tough run of games.
He didn't say more about it when he spoke to the media on Monday.
People have criticised Chelsea's rotation this season, which has sometimes made the team look disorganised.
Losses to Leeds and Atalanta, and a boring tie with Bournemouth, seemed to back up those criticisms. But it's believed that the club's leaders privately support using the rotation players. It gives younger, less experienced players a chance to participate in the team.
Maresca has been given a squad that seems a little light at times, especially in difficult games like the one away at Leeds, where the team needed more leadership.
About his relationship with the management, he said, We're in the same building, so we talk about different things. But what about the Everton press conference? Nothing. He said that everything was absolutely fine between him and the people in charge.
Striker Liam Delap is coming back sooner than expected from the shoulder injury. He got it at an away game two weeks ago. The £30 million signing could be back for the match against Aston Villa on December 27.
LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY
Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.
Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.
After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.
“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”
Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.
“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”
When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”
WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT
Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.
Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.
People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.
Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.
Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.
Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.
You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.
Must Read
