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 head coach Enzo Maresca defended his team’s display in their narrow 1-0 win over struggling Leicester, reminding critics that Premier League football is ‘not PlayStation’. Stamford Bridge witnessed another unconvincing performance as the league’s second-bottom side held out comfortably until the hour mark when the unlikely figure of Marc Cucurella blasted in from 30 yards to get lacklustre Chelsea out of jail.