Are fans finally connecting with Clearlake-era Chelsea?

In the chaotic three and a half years since the takeover of Chelsea by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, perhaps the most challenging issue for supporters has been establishing a connection between themselves and the playing squad.

The well-documented turnover of players and eye-watering sums paid has made the club feel at times like a conveyor belt. A revolving door. A beauty pageant bootcamp where only the most glittering and shiny are offered a long-term stay.

Now Chelsea feel like a football team. And nights like Tuesday against Barcelona are what creates that connection.

You can feel it around Stamford Bridge.

Reece James has a song. Moises Caicedo has a song. Enzo Fernandez has a song. Marc Cucurella has a song. Estevao Willian has THE song of the moment.

The Fernandez and Caicedo double act feels part of the furniture, while Pedro Neto was lauded for his performance, which emphasised his now-expected consistency.

Even the once-maligned Robert Sanchez's name rang out in the streets of west London post-match, with a new tongue-in-cheek chant referencing his dramatic improvement in standing among Blues fans.

There is now enough continuity in the team whereby the addition of fresh faces brings excitement rather than scepticism. Names have become personalities.

Alejandro Garnacho was given the respect his encouraging start at the club deserves. Jamie Gittens was afforded a cheer as he was introduced, despite a tentative beginning to his Blues career.

Liam Delap's goal felt like it had been willed into existence by the crowd as the striker ended his 11-game drought.

There is no doubt winning the Club World Cup (CWC) kick-started the process of endearing this Enzo Maresca side to a fanbase fully aware that winning trophies is interwoven into the modern DNA of their club.

Seeing Maresca pose with the Conference League and CWC - despite not being the silverware they may crave most - bought a sense of familiarity.

But it is in these wins, like that over Liverpool in October, and seeing what they mean to both players and coaching staff that really forge real connections for those who watch every week.

Next up? Arsenal at home on Sunday.