Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Chelsea future after links to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he is not listening to rumours suggesting Manchester City are eying him to replace Pep Guardiola.

Recent reports claimed the Italian was being eyed as a potential replacement for Guardiola, who is expected to depart the Cityzens in the near future. Maresca, 45, briefly served as the City' boss' assistant manager and also took charge of their U23s squad, before leaving to manage Leicester City.

Maresca was described as "high on a list of candidates" of managers who could take over from Guardiola, who is yet to make a decision on his future. Football.london also approached Chelsea on the link, but the club refused to comment.

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Now in his pre-match press conference previewing Chelsea's upcoming away trip to Newcastle United, Maresca broke his silence on the rumours. The Italian said: "It doesn't affect me at all.

"I know that it is 100% speculation and in this moment, there is no time for these things. I have a contract here until 2029 and my focus is about this club.

"I'm very proud to be here. It's speculation. One week ago, it was the same with Juventus so I don't pay attention.

"Again, it's just speculation. It's important to understand the reason why this news was there, but it's not my job. I don't care at all and the focus is on the Newcastle game."

When further pushed on whether he will be at Stamford Bridge for the start of next season, he said: "Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029. It's speculation, 100%. I don't have nothing to add. I don't pay attention."

Maresca won the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup and guided Chelsea into the top four in his first campaign at the club. But he insists there is plenty more which can be achieved in west London under his stewardship.

"We achieved the third semi-final in 18 months the other day," he said, referencing the 3-1 away victory over League One side Cardiff City in the quarter-final of the League Cup.

"Last year was good in terms of trophies and finishing fourth in the Premier League. The target is to try and improve on what we did last season."

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League, but they lost significant ground on Arsenal after a run of results which saw them only win one of their last four matches. They also suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League, which saw them drop to 13th in the table.

Chelsea travel to Newcastle in tomorrow afternoon's early kick-off at 12.30pm.

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