Chelsea do not wish to strike their own love affair with the Conference League, of course. The presence of teams such as FC Petrocub Hincesti, Borac Banja Luka, and FC Noah demonstrates why the Conference League still lacks prestige and why Chelsea, its far-and-away favourites, simply have to win it.

Chelsea's atmosphere at Stamford Bridge is more complex subject than simply blaming those in attendance for being bad fans.

Chelsea’s default shape under Maresca is easily identifiable and widely known - but the Italian’s ‘line of six’ is a situational tactic

Still inside the stadium, Enzo Maresca used his post-match press conference to praise the flexibility of his side, after they had tweaked their shape to adapt to struggling Leicester fielding - shock horror - a reinforced defence away from home to one of the big boys.

Nobody will mind how Chelsea play against Arsenal and Tottenham if they get six points. But if you play results football and do not get the results, fans have every right to question what they are paying for.

Chelsea face an enormous week in their 2024/25 season with Copenhagen coming to Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening in the Conference League and then a Premier League trip to Arsenal less than 72 hour