This week the familiar sound of the Champions League anthem will ring around Europe.
Sadly, due to our inability to finish in the top-four last season, we’ll not be partaking in the competition this season.
It’s something I find painful but the pain is eased by the comfort that the last time we didn’t take part in the most lucrative competition in Europe, we ended up winning the Premier League.
Perhaps lightning might strike twice.
Instead of participating in the Champions League, Chelsea will be taking part in its poor relation, the Europa League.
As with the Champions League, the Europa League is a competition we’ve previously won.
But, and here’s the golden question, is it a competition that grabs your attention or is nothing more than an irritant?
It’s a hard-call, whilst I may display an indifferent attitude, I don’t mind admitting that my interest levels will rise significantly the further we go in the competition, even more so with a place in the Champions League, next season, guaranteed for the winners.
But, as we look towards starting our campaign, this Thursday, how should Maurizio Sarri approach the competition?
Is it a chance to play some fringe players and throw a few young players into the fray or would that risk humiliation if we fail to qualify from our group?
For Sarri, it is a hot potato to juggle and one to which he’ll give due consideration, but what would you do?
Would you field a strong side or would you go with the flow, play the fringe and young players and see what happens?
Please feel free to leave your views in the comments section beneath this article, I’d certainly be interested in reading them.