Key events
A reminder that the top 10 of our 100 best male footballers in the world 2025 will be revealed in the next few minutes.
Here is the list 100-11.
The most interesting line from that Maresca press conference was: “It’s important to understand the reason why this [Manchester City] news was there.”
Since we are still in the dark about Maresca’s comments last weekend, that is a clear message to the Chelsea hierarchy. A veiled threat of sorts. The Italian is playing a dangerous game, even if he spent 90% of the press conference saying all the right things as Chelsea manager: ignoring the reports, playing down the speculation, focusing on the next game, etc.
A bit more Maresca for you:
I have a lot to achieve here [at Chelsea]. We achieved the third semi-final in 18 months the other day. Last year was good for trophies, we finish fourth in the Champions League, now we want to improve on that this year.
He also provides some injury news, for all you FPL freaks.
Liam Delap and Dario Essugo are probably available for Aston Villa and Roméo [Lavia] is still out, Levi [Colwill] is still out.
Maresca: Manchester City links are ‘100% speculation’
Chelsea’s press conference has started.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, is asked about the stories linking him to the Manchester City job.
It doesn’t affect me. It’s 100% speculation. In this moment, there is not time for these type of things. I have a contract [at Chelsea] until 2029. I’m very proud to be here. I don’t pay attention to that. One week ago, it was the same with Juventus so I don’t pay attention.
It’s important to understand the reason why this [Manchester City] news was there. I’m focused on the Newcastle game. It is going to be a difficult game.
Maresca is asked if he has spoken with the club hierarchy about the Everton comments. A reminder that the Chelsea manager claimed last weekend that “the last 48 hours had been the hardest since I joined the club because so many people didn’t support me and the team.”
About the Everton press conference? No. About other things? Yes.
Ashton Gate to stage the Women’s League Cup final
Tom Garry
Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City, will stage the Women’s League Cup final on Sunday 15 March 2026, it has been announced.
It is the first time the venue has staged this final, although Ashton Gate hosted a Women’s FA Cup final in 2012.
The match will be a 2:15pm (all times GMT) kick-off, broadcast live on BBC One and Sky Sports. Only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have lifted the trophy since the cup was founded in 2011.
The quarter-finals are taking place on Sunday, with Liverpool hosting the holders, Chelsea. Crystal Palace, the only remaining side from below the top flight, are at home to Arsenal.
Last season’s beaten finalists, Manchester City, are away against managerless West Ham, while in another all-WSL tie, Manchester United host Tottenham. All four quarter-finals get under way at 1pm.
Preamble
Hello world! We are well and truly into the festive fixtures now. The games come thick and fast, and staying on top of one’s form and fitness is paramount. Given their Club World Cup efforts, Chelsea are worse off than most when it comes to injuries.
It’s results that matter, though, and the heat is on Enzo Maresca after his comments last weekend.
Failure to explain them has only increased the scrutiny on the Italian, who is due to give his pre-weekend press conference imminently before Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle tomorrow. There are various reports flying around that Maresca is fighting with the Chelsea board over signings and is also being linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, should the Spaniard leave. Remember, Maresca was one of Guardiola’s assistants 2022-2023.
So we’ll have the latest from that, plus all the rest of the Premier League news and analysis going into this weekend.
Do email me on michael.butler@theguardian.com with any thoughts. Let’s do this.
