Heading into Cobham on Monday morning, there was such anticipation about Enzo Maresca's 'pre-match' press conference. Pre-match written in quotation marks because it was the last thing on most reporter's minds after Maresca shocked everyone on Saturday evening.
The comments came from nowhere to those watching on. Chelsea had just performed well to pick up a much-needed win against Everton, but Maresca took the opportunity to share his discontent. He did not want to elaborate on his comments during Saturday's press conference, but with the knowledge there was another one less than 48 hours later, perhaps that was viewed as the more ideal opportunity for the head coach.
But no.
No beating around the bush; the first question in Monday afternoon's presser was about those comments. Straight away, Maresca set the tone: "I already spoke about that and I don't have nothing to add."
Maresca said that but he knew as well as anyone that it would not be the last question on the matter. "You don't want to address what you said?" replied the reporter. Again, Maresca played a straight bat: "I already spoke about that and I think it was quite clear. No more than that."
The thing is, though, it was not clear; anything but, really. The possibilities of who he was referring to were endless. The media? Pundits on television? The sporting directors? The owners?
The fact he said it - essentially ranted it - suggested he wanted people to know about the matter. But coming out of Monday's presser, we are probably even further away from knowing the truth.
Trying to decide what side of the fence to sit on is difficult. Should Maresca have aired dirty laundry out in the public domain, or should he have bitten his tongue? It is difficult because we do not know the ins and outs of what has happened behind the scenes.
Either way, what Maresca has done is create a story at Chelsea. A really big story, too. It was of his own doing; he wanted something to be said. Why he felt Saturday was the right time or place to do that, we do not know.
The truth is, though, there will be more spotlight from the media on Maresca now - rightly or wrongly. Let's hope it is not something that will derail Chelsea's promising, albeit not perfect, start to the season.
Some supporters are happy with the boss. Some believe he has shown personality and character to speak his mind, and a backbone to not go back on his comments. Having covered Chelsea for the entirety of Maresca's reign, one thing is for sure: if something is on his mind, he will say it.
Maresca is a passionate man - and that is something Chelsea supporters, and football fans in general, like to see. This 'saga' - for want of a better word - has been nothing short of fascinating and while it is intriguing with everything that is said, I for one hope it can be resolved with Maresca continuing his excellent progress at Stamford Bridge.
