Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca declined to elaborate on recent comments about a perceived lack of support during a press conference held ahead of the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Cardiff City. Journalists repeatedly asked for clarification but Maresca steered the conversation back to the match and refused to name a target for his earlier remarks.

Asked what he meant by his strong words, Maresca set the tone for the entire press conference. “I already spoke about that and I don’t have nothing to add,” he shrugged. “It’s Cardiff tomorrow, please.”

Reporters pressed him over suggestions that his comments signalled a breakdown with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart or tensions with co-owner Behdad Eghbali. Maresca did not confirm any of those reports and continued to avoid detail.

“We are in an era where everyone can say what they think,” he said. “I respect people’s opinion, I respect your opinion, but again, I don’t have nothing to add, my focus is just on tomorrow’s game.”

When asked about his command of language and clarity, he replied at length, referencing the languages he speaks before reiterating his position. “I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French very well, and English more or less,” he continued. “I think when I want to say something, I’m quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don’t need to add more.

“Italian, Spanish, French, so you all are aware. It’s done, it’s finished. It was after the game, I said what I said after the game. Now it’s focused on Cardiff.”

Reports linking the manager to a possible departure were also dismissed by Maresca, who was unequivocal about his commitment to the role. When asked if he was happy as Chelsea manager and 100% committed to the position, Maresca firmly stressed: “Absolutely, yes.”

The briefing concluded on a lighter note with a routine question about the form of Malo Gusto, the same subject Maresca had used to change the topic following the Everton game.

The case for the Premier League’s most consequential summer signing this season is straightforward and rooted in impact. Granit Xhaka arrived at Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for £13 million and, four months into the campaign, has become the club’s central figure.

On Sunday he was forced off with a cut eyelid at the Stadium of Light, furious to leave a game he was dominating. He has played 1,423 of a possible 1,440 Premier League minutes this season, has supplied four assists and one goal, and averages one foul a game while collecting four yellow cards so far. His presence has helped Sunderland to 26 points and a position where safety looks within three wins.

The derby win over Newcastle crystallised his value. Xhaka ran the show against Nick Woltemade, whose £69 million move from Stuttgart ended in a spectacular own goal. Xhaka imposed himself physically, with a challenge on Lewis Miley, and tactically, using his left foot to switch play and directing teammates such as Bertrand Traoré and Robin Roefs to cover threats.

Sunderland’s recruitment has been bold. The club spent £149 million on 11 new signings, yet only Xhaka, Simon Adingra from Brighton & Hove Albion and Bertrand Traoré had prior experience in the English top flight. A three-year contract and the persuasiveness of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus underline the ambition behind the move.

Xhaka’s story is also one of redemption. Stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal under Unai Emery and sent to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 for £21 million after repeated suspensions, he rebuilt his reputation under Xabi Alonso. Kicker magazine described him as “the strategist”. His coaching education and experience guiding younger players in training have equipped him to lead a newly promoted side.

Compared with high-profile signings elsewhere—Hugo Ekitike’s 10 goals in 23 games for Liverpool since his £69 million move, Martin Zubimendi settling at Arsenal after a £60 million transfer, or Gianluigi Donnarumma’s assured displays at Manchester City—the defining metric for Xhaka is transformation. For sheer influence on a club’s season, few signings match his effect at Sunderland.

Mohamed Salah’s recent public complaint about his situation at Anfield prompted concern inside Liverpool’s dressing room, but team staff and players say the matter has been managed and negotiations will continue. Opinion was divided when Salah spoke out while the team were struggling, and some feared a split would develop between supporters of the forward and those unhappy with the timing of his remarks.

After being dropped for one further game, Salah was reinstated to the matchday squad for the win over Brighton & Hove Albion, and he broke the Premier League’s single-club goal contribution record in an all-smiles performance that appeared to ease tensions.

Curtis Jones, speaking to Viaplay after the game, said:

“We all love Mo. I love Mo,” Jones told Viaplay after the game. “At my hardest times at the club, you know, he was always one of the ones who was there, I could always speak to. And it’s exactly the same now.

“Mo’s his own man, he’s got his own opinions. And, you know, I don’t think his intentions were to affect the team or anything like that. It was just a personal thing. And as everybody knows, the team, the fans, the staff, we all love Mo. He’s a great guy.

“I don’t really like to speak on another man’s issues or his business and stuff. That has to do with Mo. But at the end of the day, I think the important thing that Mo made clear was that it’s not against the team or anything like that, just a personal issue, and that’s it.”

Club and player held private talks and the immediate tension has subsided, but further negotiations between Liverpool and Salah’s entourage are expected during the winger’s time away at the Africa Cup of Nations as both sides seek a long-term resolution that works for everybody, including manager Slot. Slot has said he has “no reason” to want Salah to leave in January, while Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté backed the forward to play for Liverpool again upon his return.

Interest from the Saudi Pro League and several Middle Eastern clubs remains, and reports suggest a summer move is more feasible than a mid-season exit. Salah is under contract until 2027 after signing an extension in April, meaning any interested club will still need to negotiate with Liverpool to reach a deal in the next 18 months.