Every word Enzo Maresca said on Man City rumours and whether he will be at Chelsea next season

The full transcript from Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca's pre-Newcastle United press conference ahead of the Blues' trip to Tyneside on Saturday afternoon

Enzo Maresca has just completed his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's trip to Newcastle United this weekend.

The Blues go to Tyneside tomorrow afternoon, but before that, Maresca has previewed the Premier League clash. Here is the full transcript from the Chelsea head coach:

What's your Christmas plans, Enzo?

So far, one week against the family. My mum and dad are coming from Italy and my wife's family is coming. So the kids, they can be with their grandad altogether.

Are you cooking?

No time. My mum, she's in charge.

And look, it's Christmas. Everyone talks about Christmas wishes. What's your wish for Christmas?

First of all, the most important thing is that it's healthy for everyone. At the end of it, there are so many things. Sometimes we lose a little bit of the most important things. Again, healthy for everyone.

How's your squad lining up for Newcastle?

We are good, yeah. The ones that we left out for Cardiff, they are okay. We have probably Liam Delap and Estevao Willian, probably both available for next game against Aston Villa. That is good news. And then Romeo [Lavia] is still out. Levi is still out.

So Liam Delap available for Aston Villa potentially?

Probably, yes.

Is that a surprise to you?

Yeah. We said since his injury that we don't know exactly, we didn't know exactly for how long, but he's progressing very well.

You have been linked with the Manchester City job this week. When you hear that, is it a distraction to you? Or does it not affect you at all when you see your name linked with other jobs?

No, it doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation. And in this moment, there is no time for these kind of things. First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true.

Do you have to relay that message to the players?

Again, I think it's just a speculation. Now, it's important to understand the reason why this news was there. But it's not my job, I don't care at all. But again, it's just a speculation. And I think the players, they are focused on a Newcastle game that is a very important game and very difficult.

Have you spoken to the sporting directors or owners yet?

Yes, we are in the same building. So we speak about different things. But about the Everton press conference, no.

And the relationship you have with those above you? Everything okay?

Yes, absolutely.

Advantage playing Newcastle in the day rather than under the lights at St. James' Park?

For me it's always difficult. Tonight they are a very good team. The manager is very good, doing a fantastic job since years ago. They are strong, they are intense. So no matter the time, it's going to be a difficult game.

What do you put your second-half improvement down to?

For sure, half-time is part of the game. It's part of the plan. Many times, half-time will also change something. Sometimes in terms of players, sometimes in terms of tactically, it depends. But I think half-time is important for us. It's important for any manager to try to adjust things, to see what is working well in the first-half or not, and try to change something.

Everyone has dips in form, particularly attackers. When it comes to as a manager, how do you help a player become more clinical?

The only thing we can do is just to try to service the players. We can do that day by day, trying to do extra sessions. We do many, many sessions with the wingers, with the strikers, in the last third, just to try to improve that. Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] is one of them. Last year, I don't know, the one that we had, the five attacking players. And the target is always the same, try to improve the players.

You said you wanted to understand why this story came out the way it did with Manchester City. I was wondering what's behind that. Is it because you care for Pep, who's your friend, or does it make your job more difficult?

I don't know, to be honest.

So what's your message to the supporters at this time, because it might be difficult for them to hear the rumours?

Just to continue to support the team in the way they have done since I joined the club and also in the past. And trust the process from the team, from the club, from everyone.

Does the noise affect you?

Does it get inside you?

No, I'm completely focused on Newcastle, to be honest.

Will you be at Chelsea next season?

Absolutely, yes. Again, I have a contract until 2029, and this is speculation 100%. So I don't have nothing to add, because again, I don't pay attention. And 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 just 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.

Do you feel like you have more to achieve here?

Absolutely, yes. Again, the other day, we achieved the third semi-final in 18 months. Last year, again, I think was good also in terms of trophies, finishing fourth in the Premier League, bringing this club, playing in the Champions League. And now the target is to try to improve what we did last season.

What do you think of Newcastle's midfield?

They are, as you said, Sandro Tonali, [Bruno] Guimaraes, Joelinton, [Lewis] Miley also, that now is playing full-back. But they are all fantastic players, all international players. And the best thing is that they complete each other. They are physically strong, they are good on the board, so they are 100% complete, perfect. So it's very difficult, not only for us, it's very difficult for any team to face them. But we're going to try our best and try to win the game.

Improvement in defence down to being able to pick the same players?

Absolutely, it's chemistry. When you spend time together, it's always getting better and better. And for sure, when you are able to play the same one, they can be better and help each other, know each other. Sometimes even just with eye contact, they can make some decisions, so it's very important.